Eden Lake (2008)

DirtyLopez · #1 December 1st, 2008, 01:09 AM

If you cross this title while you're browsing at your favorite video rental store, you may think to yourself "Oh, looks and sounds like more slasher-at-camp rubbish." This is so far from the fact of what it truly is.

Eden Lake depicts the current wave of trend amongst the youth in England. They are referred to as "chavs," which is a word that has supposedly made it to the Oxford book. Some would say it is synonymous with the ever-so-powerful 'N' word, in its relation to a certain class. What I heard through the grapevine, in addition, is that these kind come from "backwoodsy" areas and can be compared to what Americans would call "white trash" or a "redneck." They sport a certain kind of clothing, and hold VERY aggressive mannerisms. The videos below, that I've included, strike an eerily resemblance to the attitudes of the "chavs" in this movie. Also, a source tells me that this certain sort of people have a high reproduction rate. They come from large families. A chavs parental units are likely to have several children and are of a low class or are unemployed. It's a growing problem out there in the UK. Many people have a very bitter outlook towards these kids, and I don't blame them! With that out o the way... let me tell you about this film.

A couple(Jenny and Steve) have planned a romantic vacation to Eden Lake, which is deep within the woodlands. Jenny is a school teacher, in the city, and has a close relationship with children, we see in the beginning. Steve has certain and bigger plans for this getaway of theirs. You can tell that this is a genuinely good couple. Once there, their idea of peace and of personal space is disrupted and sabotaged by a group of teens(yes, chavs). Their ages could range from 12-18. Steve straps on his machismo and asks the children to tone down their music or leave to another area, because the land is rather spacious. That wasn't a very good idea. From this point on, what becomes small pokes and prods turn into a very serious and DIRE situation. This movie is not for anyone who likes to watch another in complete and futile peril. It's brutal. It's dismal. It's hard to watch. This is a horror flick that is reality ALL UP IN YOUR FACE. It is unlike the "torture porn" films that have been plaguing the screens and shelves lately. It's a matter that hits straight to home, on a different level. Some of you may be turned off to the graphic nature of the film. I shed a few tears. I shouted at the screen. I was shocked.
The acting on all parties' behalves was excellent. I believed every moment of this film. Check out the vids below to have a slight peek at the regular chav. I recommend this movie if you love to be horrified.
**** out of *****

TRAILER, IF YOU WANT(this will spoil things, if you want to watch the movie):

YouTube - Eden Lake - NEW EXTREME TRAILER!

Here is a view of the behavior of the stereotypical "chav."

YouTube - Manchester...

Can someone from England or vicinity shed some light or correct me if I am wrong in providing the information about how I've described this "phenomenon," if I was off, in the least. Thanks : )

AnalBreeze · #2 January 24th, 2009, 01:55 AM

Product Details

Actors: Jack O'Connell, Kelly Reilly, Finn Atkins, Michael Fassbender, Thomas Turgoose

Directors: James Watkins

Format: Color, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)

Number of discs: 1

Rating:

Studio: Weinstein Company

DVD Release Date: January 6, 2009

Run Time: 91 minutes

Like a bad dream turned worst nightmare, Eden Lake is a "relentlessly tense and immaculately paced" (Twitch Film) horror-thriller about modern youth gone wild. When a young couple goes to a remote wooded lake for a romantic getaway, their quiet weekend is shattered by an aggressive group of local kids. Rowdiness quickly turns to rage as the teens terrorize the couple in unimaginable ways, and a weekend outing becomes a bloody battle for survival. Eden Lake is "fierce, thought-provoking ... and genuinely shocking"

AnalBreeze · #3 January 24th, 2009, 02:03 AM

I really enjoyed this film! WOW!!!
I bought it when it came out but was only able to see it today Finally!
This movie ranks up there with my other faves... "The Descent", "High Tention", "Inside" and "Frontier(s)"!
Don't go into Eden Lake expecting a fun ride; this movie isn't a fun movie. It aims to disturb and it succeeds in that area that very few films before have. As you are watching Eden Lake you will probably like it, but after the movie ends and you think back to it that's where you realize the brilliance behind it. Eden Lake is in my opinion one of the best horror movies of 2008 and this one isn't to be missed.

flawed_existence · #4 January 24th, 2009, 02:27 AM

HATED IT! HATED IT! HATED IT!

Hubby downloads every fucking torrent in the universe with no regard to quality. He FORCED me to watch this film. (That means he had the remote.)

I TOLD those dumb shites to hit the road when the area was no longer the way the boyfriend remembered it.

I TOLD them to hit the road when the thugs showed up at the lake.

To avoid spoiling the film for those who wish to subject themselves to it, I'll stop here. But I kept TELLING them to go the fuck home. Suffice it to say; they didn't take my advice. (Yes, I talk to the TV. You got a problem with that? Huh? Do ya'?)

The ending made me want to stab my own eyes out. Unfortunately, it should have been obvious what was going to happen.

I agree that the film is an definite commentary on generational violence and the seeming lack of regard for right and wrong parents have when it comes to their own "little darlings". It also makes a strong statement about the way people behave when in a group versus when they are alone.

Still hated it, though. And that stupid boyfriend in the movie is why I carry concealed. Fine, be a macho asshole. I'll take the fuckers down all by myself! So there!

DirtyLopez · #5 January 24th, 2009, 08:41 AM

LMAO!!!! I love movies like this! The kind that invoke such emotional and feeling that you need to blurt it outward. Of course, I didn't, but I can see how someone would. This movie affected me deeply, and for that, I hold it in high regard.
I'm glad you and AnalBreeze enjoyed it.

(and yes, for you to have so much to say about it, I think it did something for yer, Flawed : wink: )

AnalBreeze · #6 January 25th, 2009, 01:59 AM

LOFL... Drop the screw driver! Don't stab out your own eyes! PLEASE!

Morbid · #7 January 25th, 2009, 02:55 AM

I liked it, swivel didn't...or rather, swivel didn't think it was as brutal as I described. Personally, I wasn't effected on a level in which I cared about the couple too much, as they were morons that pretty much BEGGED for their situation.

I did like the ending, even if it was predictable (although still surprising they did it) and the fact that the director didn't try to answer any questions regarding why the events even transpired in the first place. He simply threw up a few possible reasons, and then let's the viewer decide.

Either way, one of my favorite films of last year (still have a review in draft over at CC for the last month, but never finished it as this film is more horror than crime based) and look forward to his future crap. Oh, and the necklacing scene was a nice touch.