Cactus (2008)

Sadly Over-hyped

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

This movie was really cool, then it ended. It was a great two-man show, save for the few minor characters they meet along the way. There was a good story arc and some funny scenes/dialogue, but I can't for the life of me figure out what it meant or even what it was about. None of my questions were answered, and the director didn't even bother to add a resolution of any sort. I was really looking forward to the ending, honestly. It's hard to come by a movie which utilizes so few actors, but I can't say I enjoyed it as much as I could have. Maybe it was rushed to be completed, I dunno. It's one of the movies where the trip isn't worth the destination, but the trip itself is good enough.

I've got a few movies sitting around at home to watch and I decided this one first because Shane Jacobson was in it and I did enjoy Kenny. That was pretty much the main reason behind my choice and I do want to try and find some good Aussie films. It was mediocre at its best.The plot of this movie is a very simple one. At the beginning we see one man beating up another man. Then cutting to a man (Travis McMahon) driving in the desert and he just keeps driving. Turns out he was doing the beating up and he's taking his victim (David Lyons) to some guys that promise him money. The two start off quite hostile towards each other but because they spend so much time together they start chatting. Shane Jacobson plays a truckie that follows their path, but he is barely in the movie and Bryan Brown plays a police officer that runs into them early on.The movie was written and directed by Jasmine Yuen Carrucan, a lady that normally has worked in the camera and electrical department (like the Kill Bills). Her writing was decent but nothing particularly stood out and it never stepped away from doing anything safely. The dialogue was dry throughout the movie, it wasn't bad but still nothing good. The plot doesn't mean a lot could really happen but it did feel dragged on. Still despite this, none of it was bad.As for the acting, really the only people on the screen are McMahon's and Lyons' characters. Both were decent and they worked together on the screen very well. It was their on screen chemistry that made this movie that bit better. As I said before Shane Jacobson has pretty much no screen time so there is nothing I can really comment on. Bryan Brown has small screen time and makes his presence known but thats about it. Although that is because of the plot of the movie, so I can't comment too much.The movie was alright with its acting, directing, dialogue and story so it all comes together as being just above average. This is a movie that is great to fill time and I recommend it to anyone a fan of the Australian film but don't really go out of your way to do so.originally appearing on my blog: www.comikkazee.com

Take a slow and arduous journey into outback Australia with two blokes locked together in a 'FORD', no less! One the kidnapped victim, for whichever reason we never really discover and the other a real loser who turns out to be helping his dieing wife by kidnapping this bloke for $20k, taking him into the never-never by means of a lot of dry banter between both. It keeps one riveted to find out what it's all about and the unsuspected ending left me confused and still bewildered to know what it was all about. I guess it was about a road to nowhere by a film to nowhere via a script that left me perplexed and guessing which direction it was meant to take. Perhaps after all that's what it was all about after all. I am still guessing and wondering if I had the mickey taken out of me though by wasting hours on the road to nowhere watching this? No fault of the actors though- it was worth watching for their parts were difficult and riveting.

This film could have been a masterpiece if the motivations and situation had been a bit clearer. We are left with an endless trek through the back roads with no destination in sight and no reason to feel any sympathy for either protagonist. There are several moments in the narrative that leave you guessing and wondering why the situation turns out as depicted.When you add up the miles traveled in the red Ford, it seems incredulous to say the least.As for the ending...well, you be the judge. You may be disappointed, confused, sad or in awe..it's hard to know what the film maker's intent was, but then again, that's the attraction of cinema.The expansive outdoor shots are delightful and beautifully photographed.