A Perfect Getaway

Starring Timothy Olyphant, Milla Jovovich, Kiele Sanchez, Chris Hemsworth, Marley Shelton and Steve Zahn
Written and Directed by David Twohy
website: www.iamrogue.com/aperfectgetaway

IN SHORT: A Fine Sit. [Rated R for graphic violence, language including sexual references and some drug use. 97 minutes]

Most of the time, when reviewing murder mysteries, we only have to be careful not to wreck the ending for y'all. When you have a film like A Perfect Getaway, in which writer/director David Twohy skillfully bounes back and forwards in time that task becomes close to impossible. So ...

On one of the more isolated Hawaiian islands,called Kauai, three couples romp freely and independently until they (literally) stumble across a newspaper report of a (potential) serial killer who has just murdered a newlywed couple on the big island of Oahu. For reasons we won't get into -- though you probably have this already figured out -- each couple thinks one of the other couples has the killer as part of it. Psychologcally the fim refers to something called an aggressive-dependent relationship tendency, which is big words for "he or she made me do it."

Cliff and Cydney (Steve Zahn and Milla Jovovich) are happy loving couple number one, honeymooning on an island known for stunning scenery and remote beaches. Simply put, short of helicopter or kayak, you can't get on or off the island. It is, essentially, a closed and locked apartment (house, whatever) in any other suspenseful movie, with eye-candy visuals [Hawaii is beautiful, except for the scenes shot in Puerto Rico -- we don't know which is which so props to that island as well.]

Nick and Gina (Timothy Olyphant and Kiele Sanchez) are happy loving couple number two. They're not married and she's been waiting a looong time for the question to be popped. What she doesn't know is that Nick has been carrying a diamond around for a very long time. He just hasn't had the guts, whatever, to pop the question. Hawaii being Hawii, well, it wouldn't be such a bad place to find said guts.

Couple number three are Kale and Cleo (Chris Hemsworth and Marley Shelton), who are hitchhiking when Cliff and Cydney pick 'em up. Lucky for everybody that they're all heading to the same out of the way beach. Kale's a dominant type and can't seem to get along with anyone. Needless to say, they're not in the same car with C&C for long.

What pulls everyone together is a new report of a killing on Oahu. The suspect may actually be two and those two may be a male/female couple and well, figure it out for yourself from here on out. We're not saying another word.

OK, we lied. There are enough minor characters at play that, if we ID'd them you'd probably guess the killer in a flash. We hate you guys. Sit back and let the film suck you in. Half the fun is letting the actors do their work and build individual characters while the pieces fall into place -- and director Twohy graciously edits all those clues together just as he lets the big reveal.

On average, a first run movie ticket will run you Ten Bucks. Were Cranky able to set his own price to A Perfect Getaway, he would have paid . . .

$7.00

A Perfect Getaway is a fine sit.

	Click to buy films by David Twohy
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