It’s a different country down there

Director: Rod Lurie
Cinema: Eastgate
Running time: 108 minutes
Type of film: Action thriller
Age restriction: Adults only
Reviewed by Prof Joel White
Based on a novel by Edmund Laurie that won several best novel titles in 2004, the book as well as, the film takes its name from a 17th century custom in rural China.
Dogs made of straw were given to one’s enemies to represent the donor’s opinion of his adversary’s strength.
Special plaudits must be expressed towards the film’s makers who kept a tight grip on the truly frightening and dazzling events portrayed. Running close to the line of unacceptable narrative, the films diligent and attention paying viewer will see and rejoice in the welcome restraining hand.
For the events portrayed to gain credibility in the mind of a non-American viewer, it will be well to know of the century old, ineradicable prejudice which the US’s 49 other states retain when considering the deep southern State of Mississippi.
Called the Magnolia State, with the City of Jackson as its capital and the comparatively small population of less than three million, the State of Mississippi bears the unenviable reputation as the worst of the nation in cultural, educational, financial and social achievements.
It is easy to imagine the mind of the film’s makers in choosing Mississippi as the film’s setting: the state, which would realise it hasn’t a chance of success if it fought back.
The plot is simply stated. Amy and David have met in their post- graduate years in Connecticut, and recently married.
Amy has gone on and on during their courtship years about the home in the South, which her late parents left her.
She convinces David that they should try to make a life for themselves there; to rebuild the crumbling house. He seems willing to pay attention to his wife’s whims.
It seems, however, that when Amy left the South she left behind some unfinished business; a very embittered former lover, Charlie, who is now determined to reclaim what he, considers his property.
No holds are barred as this film takes the viewer into Mississippi style vengeance and retribution; and along the way we meet a whole host of the characters that have rightly given to this American state its reputation.