“Deep Woods”
Movie Review
Written
and directed by Steve Laughlin, 'Deep Woods' stars Tony Dennison, Eddie Spears,
and Jillian VanOver, with cinematography by Robb Fisher, and music scored by Peter
Batchelder. The opulent chrome and glass offices of an architectural firm owned
by Ty Ellsworth, played by Jillon VanOver, begin in an entirely different
place. Ty contacts his college friend Nick, played by Eddie Spears, and
suggests a hunting trip. Ty wants to "experience nature before it
evolves," and since Nick is a Native American and a game warden, who
better to go with?
In
the first half hour of the film, Laughlin provides a contrast between the world
we know and the rural, backwoods area where Nick lives. A tribal dance, talk of
Wendigos, a run-in with some lockers at a bar, and of course, warnings from
Sheriff Hayden, played by Tony Dennison, to stay on the trails once they get
into the woods. We all know how impossible that is.
Nick
decides to sleep and Ty goes alone. But as he follows his dog, he stumbles upon
a cartel drug operation hidden in the jungle. They will do anything to hide it.
Lost and on his own Ty has to find a way out of the woods, but he’s facing more
threats than he knows.
Because
as Enrique chases Ty through the forest, the other characters' various secrets
and loyalties come into play. This gives the film a second layer of suspense as
they wonder who can be trusted among the main characters, such as the trapper
and Ty meets in the woods.
With
a small cast and limited interior sets, it's clear that Deep Woods was shot on
a shoestring budget. That precludes big guns or action set pieces. Enrique,
played by Jesse Prez, is a gunman who protects the cartel, while Romina plays
Rachel Cerda, who pilots a surveillance drone. It seems a little understaffed,
but that's ultimately explained by a final act reveal.
Director
Laughlin weaves familiar elements together to keep the story interesting. The
small cast actually works in Deep Woods' favor to an extent. It's more
believable that Ty can outrun a man and a drone than a small army looking for
him.
He is supported by a cast of seasoned actors who deliver solid performances and help the story get through some of its weaker and more predictable moments. Deep Woods' characters aren't particularly complex, but the show keeps them from falling into dull clichés. Or in one case, from embarking on the final act. Credit goes to cinematographer Rob Fisher for making the film so effective and effective for the painful nocturnal hallucinations of the injured Ty.
Deep Woods is a decent way to pass ninety minutes, even though
the story has some interesting ideas that both questionable elements raise and
then quickly abandon. Remember that this is not trying to be an action film as
much as a suspense film.
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