Slashed Dreams
- Css Darth-Sheol
- Mar 2, 2015
- 3 min read
Slashed Dreams is not as much of a horror / suspense movie as it might sound. It's better described as a drama, though not necessarily a powerful one. I expected more torment and terror. It really only has one intense scene (depending on what you consider “intense” I guess) with the rest of the movie being build-up and dealing with the aftermath.
Jenny is friends with a guy, Michael (played by Robert Englund), who quit college to go live in the woods as a hermit. Needing to get away for a while Jenny and her new boyfriend go off to find Michael, but his place isn't vehicle accessible; they will need to hike. Along the way they are warned to stay out of the woods as they have proved dangerous to other hikers, but the couple feels a sense of safety since they know someone that lives back there.
Once deep in the woods away from civilization or any ability to communicate they discover Michael is missing. In his absence they are terrorized by a pair of locals (not unlike a Deliverance kind of situation I guess). Defenseless they must deal with the emotions of the attack and decide on escape or revenge.
Most of the movie is the couple hiking up to the cabin and then flirting with each other once there (and presumably alone). There are a few moments of very mild tension such as finding a bear in their food, but it's very much a happy romance kind of movie for the longest time. I assume they wanted this to contrast with the attack that comes later, but while that is a significant event, it doesn't feel as much like the focus of the movie as the title and summary make it sound like it is.
It's not a terrible movie in some respects, it's just not an edge-of-your-seat kind of thing. The characters aren't bad for the most part. The fighting between Jenny and her first boyfriend seems natural enough, and the advancement of the relationship with the new boyfriend fits. Still, it's not that powerful a drama and can be disappointing when marketed as a suspense movie.
I don't have any major complaints about the acting. I'm not used to seeing Robert Englund in a normal kind of role. I'm used to him being either Freddy or Willie. He does a good job in this though his role is small. The local yokels who do all the terrorizing aren't much good. They feel like the stereotypical backwoods hillbillies without any credibility to sell the characters.
One big negative of the movie is the number of musical montages. For one thing they are greatly overused. I bet there are at least 5 and possible more (I didn't really count). That might not be such a bad thing if I liked the music more. I don't like the style or the singer's voice. As such the musical moments began sucking the life out of the drama after the first couple of montages. That's one reason the drama isn't as powerful as it might be.
MORALITY:
Most notable is the rape scene which the plot (when it finally picks up a bit) revolves around. This is particularly hard for some people to watch, and it is uncomfortably depicted here. There are very few violent scenes (I can only recall one other than the rape scene), and almost no blood. The violence is mostly just hitting so it's not at all gruesome.
There is some romantic sexuality and a few quick nude scenes both male and female.
The strong language can be bad at times.
SPIRITUALITY:
How do you deal with pain, especially something as intimately invasive as rape? I would certainly be torn between a thirst for revenge and the knowing that God calls us to forgive. The characters struggle as well though not quite in the same way since the idea of forgiving trespasses as our trespasses have been forgiven is not a topic for discussion. It still an interesting question brought up by the dilemma, though.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
If you want to see a wilderness romance movie with the drama of rape and its aftermath thrown in, without it being the focus of the whole movie, then check out Slashed Dreams. If you're wanting something more eventful or overall suspenseful you might find this dull. If not for the musical montages with songs that made me want to reach for the mute button I might actually give this a slightly higher rating.
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