Fantastic Fest 2011

Martin (Cillian Murphy) and Kate (Thandie Newton) don’t screw around. When tragedy befalls them they don’t just isolate themselves in a cabin in the mountains, or take off for a distant country for an escape. Oh no, these two hightail it to a remote cottage. On an island. Completely by themselves. The only means of contact with the boat captain on the mainland who can come pick them up is a CB radio held together with duct tape and luck. It would seem like exactly what is needed after the trauma their marriage has suffered except for a generator that dies and the arrival of an unannounced guest- a young man named Jack (Jamie Bell) who stumbles towards the house bloodied and packing heat. They take him in and Jack soon reveals some disturbing information that is going to keep them trapped inside together for the foreseeable future.

Of course the fun in a film like RETREAT is in the revelation of the threat and the subsequent suspense when trust becomes an issue. These films live and die by their ability to engage audiences in the characters and their situations and this one certainly delivers. All the actors here are top notch, Murphy and Newton being especially in top form as more is revealed by what they don’t say to each other at times than what they do. First time director Carl Tibbetts keeps things moving at a rapid pace leaving little room for stress relief as the tension escalates and the script has more than just a few wicked surprises.

Far be it from me to spoil any of the twists in RETREAT but by the end I’m sure you will agree (as Martie and Kate would), they should have just stayed home and hired a therapist. (Brian Kelley)