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The final twist does the trick

A Perfect Getaway can be called an above-average watch only because of its edge-of-the-seat climax

  • By Abdulla Mahmood, Special to Unwind
  • Published: 00:00 October 31, 2009
  • Unwind

  • A Perfect Getaway
  • Image Credit: Supplied

With A Perfect Getaway, writer-director David Twohy intertwines the genres of the horror and the thriller. The film is a laid-back thriller that relies heavily on the big twist to get you on the edge of your seat for a pulsating climax.

Murder on the mind

Newlyweds Cliff (Steve Zahn) and Cydney (Milla Jovovich) set off on a hiking expedition to Hawaii for their honeymoon.

On the trip, they hear a murderous couple is on the loose and grow suspicious of two eccentric couples — Kale (Chris Hemsworth) and Cleo (Marley Shelton), and Nick (Timothy Olyphant) and Gina (Kiele Sanchez) — who join them on a trek.

The suspense continues till the truth is revealed in a bloody climax.

Twohy doesn't show urgency in the initial parts of the film, which is more of chit-chat between Cliff and Nick, and dry humour that helps build the tension.

Some ups, some downs

Twohy could have played around with the film's location more to build an edgier setting. The film also becomes predictable, with the truth becoming apparent much before the climax. The flashback sequences aren't so convincing either. The chase sequence where the screen is split into three and you get to watch three characters simultaneously has good special effects combined with neat editing.

Strong performances

It's good to watch Zahn in a non-comic role. The latter parts of the film give him more scope to impress. Jovovich looks good on screen but seems miscast among the other strong performers. It is Olyphant‘s performance that keeps the film alive during the initial lazy scenes. Sanchez is effective. But despite the thrills and chills, A Perfect Getaway stops at being just an entertaining thriller. The final twist is the trump card and if you are aware of this, there isn't much in the film you can look forward to.

Abdulla Mahmood is a UAE-based freelance writer

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