Hey tenderfoot romantics!
Backcountry, written and directed by Toronto filmmaker Adam McDonald (Pyewacket), is based on a true story, and serves as a perfect illustration as to why couples in crisis should avoid the great outdoors.
Because there can’t be a wedding if the groom has been eaten by a bear.
Sweethearts Alex (Jeff Roop) and Jenn (Missy Peregrym) are on a camping trip in a remote Canadian park. So far, so good.
Like most men in charge of movie expeditions, Alex is a poor choice for leadership. After arrogantly dismissing the need for a map, he gets them lost in a rogue black bear’s feeding ground.
For about the first 40 minutes, Backcountry is more of a relationship on the rocks/adventure film—until the bear enters the picture.
Then it’s straight-up survival horror.
McDonald accentuates the panicky state of affairs with dizzying rotation shots that emphasize the lack of familiar landmarks and the growing uncertainty of Alex and Jenn.
The last third of Backcountry is super intense and frightening, because we have traveled a fair distance with these characters and their idiosyncrasies, and a definite emotional investment has been made our part.
While Alex apologizes for the umpteenth time, for getting them into this mess, Jenn tries to soothe his guilt, by telling him, “Could be worse. At least we’re together.”
It gets worse. Backcountry is a tense place to pitch your tent.
horrificflicks.com 