Wilderness Survival for Girls (2004)

Three college friends, Ruth, Deb, and Kate, recently graduated, set out for a long weekend at Kate's parents' remote cabin. They intend to do nothing but sunbathe, get stoned, and dish on boys until they stumble upon the loaded shotgun and dead fox stashed in their fridge.That's when they meet Ed (James Morrison), a disenfranchised mountain man who has been squatting in the usually vacant summer house for months.It's a great set-up, primarily because you never really know if Ed is a psycho or if he's just a poor homeless guy who's just angry that he's been busted by a trio of teens.It's also great because, compared to the girls, Ed seems almost well-adjusted. Ruth is a closeted lesbian with a crush on Deb, Deb is the under-achieving party girl resentful of Kate and Ruth's money and academic success, and Kate has serious man and confidence issues. Oh yeah, and there's also the fact that Deb was brutally assaulted by her stepfather years before. Then there's that almost urban legendy story of the babysitter and her boyfriend who were hacked to pieces by a deranged mountain man just miles from Kate's family's place....You get the idea. "Wilderness Survival For Girls" is chock full of rich character development, decent acting, and plenty of twists and turns (and plot angles to work them from). It's one of those movies where you won't find yourself looking at the clock once.Is it a nonstop suspense thrill ride, ala "High Tension" or "Them?" No. The thrills here are more psychological than anything. But it doesn't preclude them from being any less brutal and shocking.

I have bought this movie twice-- the second time after I lent it to a friend and never got it back. Lucky for me the copies are cheap on Amazon.I watched this movie because it looks like every other slasher flick-- worse, a cheap indie slasher flick-- except that the reviews all over the box don't read like slasher reviews.This movie delivers on several fronts. First, it is an edge of your seat thriller and will keep you guessing. Second, it is an intimate portrayal of female friendship. I think most women will see a part of themselves in one of these girls, and all will recognize a close friend. Third, it is a mind-bending mystery. The continuity is very good. Fourth, it is a poignant social commentary, and raises very complex and relevant questions. This movie will certainly start a conversation about fear and gender if you let it. If you're looking for mindless entertainment, you're not going to get it. If you're looking for a movie about exceptional people, you're not going to get it-- the people in this movie are not cut out to be astronauts or fortune 500 executives. Each character is as fundamentally good as they are fundamentally evil.If you're a guy and you're wondering why you might enjoy this movie (since it does seem to mostly be about women), the male character in this movie is no less complex, interesting, and real than the teenage girls. I think it is a less common person who will sympathize with both the man and the teenagers in this movie. The humanity displayed in this movie is generally the kind of humanity that happens behind closed doors and is rarely ever expressed in words.Fantastic acting. Fantastic script. Breathtaking, on-location photography. Poignant societal commentary on a topic that, although it is less commercial than racism or the glass ceiling, is no less woven through the lives of everyone in western culture. This is a really great movie.

If you, like me, don't like movies where the characters make every stupid decision you can think of... this movie is not for you.The drama is built on the young girls extremely stupid and completely unrealistic decision.If you want to watch a great thriller about women in a cabin in the woods, watch the Descent. The acting in the movie is actually pretty good. The same for the dialog. It's just that all of their problems could have easily been avoided with just the slightest use of common sense. Instead of tense moments, they are frustrating.

I was very lucky to be part of the first audience to see this film. It is an amazing piece of art and I would definitely see it again. The creators took a blind leap with only having four members in the cast and a change of scenery three times. They pull it off amazingly though. I recommend this film to anyone. To anyone who truly likes a well written, well scripted movie. The story is amazing, the cast is amazing. I couldn't have prayed for a better movie. It's probably one of the best thrillers I have seen in a long time...and that's saying a lot considering I work at a video store!This film is a true 'Diamond in the Rough'