MovieChat Forums > Texas Killing Fields (2011) Discussion > Not as bad as the boards make it seem

Not as bad as the boards make it seem

posted 11 years ago by phantomF-12
6 replies | jump to latest

OK, so I saw the movie only recently.

While it is definitely not Academy Awards winning (or even nominating) material, the film is what it is.

The film doesn't explain much regarding the backstory of the characters, of the facts from which it draws inspiration and doesn't really dwelve into character development.

It somehow feels like it would have made more sense of this to be a part of a TV series, and at times the quality is closer to a syndicated TV show. In a series there could have been 2-3 episodes to create and introduce us to the characters, 2-3 episodes which would be the material from this movie, and 1-2 for closure.

Alas, that's not what we got. We got a movie which jumps right into the action, has multiple storylines that a few come together and others are red herrings.

You don't get an explanation of why the one Cop prays over the victim, or his partner who seems under so much tension that he's close to exploding. We don't really get to connect to the Anne character either or why she was on juvie probabtion, etc.

This movie is put together somewhat like a puzzle, and it requires the viewer to think, and to keep in mind things that happened many minutes earlier and seemed not so important at the time.

It also leaves a lot to the imagination of the viewer, regarding backstories, relationships and future.

Some people like to be challenged by a movie, most these days don't.

In the end, it's a movie with a probably not very high production budget. It makes for a nice mid-week flick to watch when there's nothing much else on.

[–] taco_grante 11 years ago

It's worse

[–] TheManInOil 10 years ago

Other than Worthington's performance I thought it was okay. It's much better than a lot of low budget films, and in particular I thought the cinematography was very good. Some of the acting was spotty and it's hard to tell if that's the actor or the script, but on the whole I've seen much, much worse.

[–] shewasmyrushmore 9 years ago

You don't get an explanation of why the one Cop prays over the victim,

he's a believer - and he's haunted by these cases, and feels a personal responsibility to protect the victims/potential victims. he mentioned a previous case that where he hadn't been able to protect the victims.

or his partner who seems under so much tension that he's close to exploding.

didn't you see the scene where he went out to meet his partner when the creep found the arm? he spoke about his childhood of growing up around loser drunks - he's a cop - he despises his hometown and the people in it and sees that they are the same as he was when he was a kid, and will be the same for eternity. he broke up with his wife - he pretty much only likes his dog.

We don't really get to connect to the Anne character either or why she was on juvie probabtion, etc.

if a little girl grows up in a house where the single mother's number one priority is her prostitution and the little girl isn't allowed home til all the clients have left....it's a pretty good sign she's going to find herself in trouble from time to time.

these things didn't need to be resolved and spelled out for the viewer - the hints and signs are all there, and it makes for much more interesting viewing when it is left up to the audience to fill in the gaps, rather than the cliche hollywood tactic of adding in some totally unnecessary and unrealistic dialogue to explain back stories.

[–] essex9999 9 years ago

these things didn't need to be resolved and spelled out for the viewer - the hints and signs are all there, and it makes for much more interesting viewing when it is left up to the audience to fill in the gaps, rather than the cliche hollywood tactic of adding in some totally unnecessary and unrealistic dialogue to explain back stories.

I agree. Furthermore, this movie was not hard to figure out if you paid attention. It didn't even require much thought or analysis. Everything that happened was explained right there on screen. If people have trouble understanding Texas Killing Fields, I can't imagine what they'd make of Primer or Coherence.

IMO, the problems probably arose because: (1) Everything happened very fast in the final 30 minutes of the film; if your attention wandered, you could easily miss a key event. (2) The events of the ending are not connected except in a peripheral way. This is contrary to what the viewer expects because it's not the way movies and TV shows usually work. It is, however, how life works. (3) Sam Worthington is hard to understand; he mumbles and his accent is all over the place. This is a fair criticism, but it's not enough to make the movie as bad as some people claim.

TKF is not a great movie, but it was atmospheric and held my attention. I liked that the story line and especially the ending didn't follow standard cop-show cliches, like tying everything together neatly and portraying the cops as superhuman.

[–] Dan_Garten 9 years ago

Good review.

[–] shewasmyrushmore 9 years ago

If people have trouble understanding Texas Killing Fields, I can't imagine what they'd make of Primer or Coherence.

now i want to go and watch these - thanks for the tip! 

TKF is not a great movie, but it was atmospheric and held my attention.

ditto.