The Wicker Tree (2010)
Director: Robin Hardy
Where to get it: Anchor Bay
Young Christians Beth and Steve, a gospel singer and her cowboy boyfriend, leave Texas to preach door-to-door in Scotland . When, after initial abuse, they are welcomed with joy and elation to Tressock, the border fiefdom of Sir Lachlan Morrison, they assume their hosts simply want to hear more about Jesus. How innocent and wrong they are. Also as an added bonus, this film does loosely connect with The Wicker Man. Becoming more of a companion peace rather than sequel.
The Wicker Tree is a film that is perfectly fine for a watch, but it could have done a few things better. Our two leads are a bit deeper than their “durp” characters would lead you to believe. These are two people with a very questionable past that are trying to change their ways and go down the path of the lord. They are then very naively lead into the lions den with these people with very evil intentions. The sad thing is, these character are playing the christian card a little too much. And it doesn’t make them reflect as very good normal Christians. It makes them come across as silly and dumb ones. The film isn’t an all out assault on faith and religion. I’d say it does a fine job of straddling the line to remain about a neutral as it can. But I think the movie would have benefited better from having Christians that doesn’t have the overplayed Texas gimmick attached to them.
Also don’t go into this thing expected anything fast or quick. The film is about an hour in before anyone even leaves on a ambulance. The film does pack a very interesting character. She is supposed to be in on the evil plans but instead becomes a more torn character along the way. I think she’s the best and most interesting character this film produces. It’s just too bad that more characters isn’t like this female character. As things proceed it becomes more and more apparent that things are leading up to the last part of the film. And when we reach that part, things ALMOST end differently than you expect..almost. But I will happily admit that about 90% of the film looks great in it’s blu-ray form, with just a few scenes being less than spectacular. It also packs great sound.
(6/10)
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