Please note that this review is for the 2011 remake of Straw Dogs. I have not seen the original and, therefore, can not compare the two. It has been reviewed solely on its own merit. This review contains specific details to the plot, please skip to the last paragraph if you do not wish to read the spoiler.

Straw Dogs is a fairly decent film film about the limits of man, but has the unfortunate problem of being completely ruined by one scene. The film starts by establishing that David (James Marsden) and Amy (Kate Bosworth) are moving to Blackwater, MS to take over Amy's father's estate. Amy is originally from the area, so she gives David several hints on how to fit into the small-town southern lifestyle. It's obvious that David is uncomfortable with the locals, but he makes an attempt to mingle and even hires Amy's ex-boyfriend, Charlie, to work on the roof of their barn. Charlie and his friends agree to the work and it quickly becomes apparent that they are taking advantage of David's passive aggressive attitude.

Although the film takes a while to set establish this setting, it stays fairly interesting. The major problem with this film is Amy's story arc. She is portrayed as a good 'ol country girl that make it escaped to be an actress. She mentions things like how the locals, although loud and crass, are mostly harmless and that they don't even have to lock their doors because of how safe it is. She then does one of the most mind bogglingly stupid things that insulted me not only as a southern, but also as a woman. There is a scene where she is running (sans sports-bra; it must be nice to have a small chest and be able to do that) and Charlie and the others are ogling her as they follow their truck. They quickly move on , but begin starring at her when she finishes her run and returns home. She gets uncomfortable and mentions it to David, who points out that she should probably dress a little more modestly. This pisses her off and she questions him if he thinks that she's asking for it, then storms upstairs to take a bath. Before she gets into the tub, however, she opens the window facing Charlie and the others and then proceeds to slowly unbutton and remove her top.

Now, 27 years of living in the south taught me that southern boys can be a little more abrupt and personal, that makes some women comfortable. 28 years of being female, however, has taught me that if you are uncomfortable about how guys are acting, flashing them is probably not the best way to tell them to that you're not interested and want to be left alone.

This leads me to the scene that destroyed the movie for me. (This is the major spoiler mentioned earlier) Charlie and his gang offer to take David hunting, which he accepts, while on this trip, Charlie returns to the house and rapes Amy. This scene is extremely graphic and incredibly difficult to watch. It last for several minutes and it topped off, after he finishes, one of his friends shows up and also rapes her. Although the second rape is not as drawn out or as graphic (and, thankfully, this scene is intertwined with another scene that makes it a little more bearable), as the first, it's every bit as difficult to watch. I found this entire sequence to be completely unnecessary. Not only does it bring the movie to a complete stop, but adds nothing to the film other than make Amy a nervous wreck, which could have been accomplished just as easily just showing that the harassment was getting worse..

Had that scene not been in the movie, the film would have been wonderful. It is acted well, even though they wasted Dominic Purcell's talent by making him play a simpleton. James Woods is wonderful as the loud, and angry town drunk. The story is interesting and suspenseful and the climax is well worth the wait. I would recommend seeing the film in theaters, if not for the graphic scene mentioned above. It is a good film, but it is a film that will make you wish you had a fast forward button.

-DJ Creepiz