The Cottage :: Wessex Scene Online

The Cottage

30th May 2008
Beth Glanvill

About this film

Title	The Cottage
Director	Paul Andrew Williams
Release Date	14 March 2008
Certificate
Genres	Comedy, Crime, Horror, Thriller
Our Rating	3.0/5.0

Rate this story

More by Beth Glanvill

Oct 08 - Sex and the City
Apr 08 - Control

Cottage Trailer

In order to appreciate this film, it must not be taken seriously. As another comedy/horror film, it’s merely there to entertain us, and particularly in this case, repulse.

Paul Andrew Williams, whose only famous film until now is London to Brighton (a brilliant but very dark, gritty portrayal of prostitution) is not quite up to scratch with his British humour. Funny in parts, The Cottage just doesn’t compare to other comedy/horror films such as Shaun of the Dead or Severance. There were moments that made me laugh, but mostly there were moments of cringing, not necessarily at the bloody violence, but at Jennifer Ellison’s shrill tones - they resonate in your ears! Also, the amount of harsh swearing is unbelievable, again mostly from Ellison the potty-mouth. I’m not sure whether this gratuitous foul language was for comedic effect, or just filler for a pretty empty and not so witty script.

Performance wise however, I commend Reece Shearsmith for his portrayal of the pathetic, wimpy brother. He’s hilarious, and it makes a fantastic contrast with the other brother character (Andy Serkis), - hard as nails, just unlucky. These two actors make a surprisingly entertaining double act; it is a shame that they had to share the limelight with weaker performers.
What I did like about this film was the unfamiliar mix of British gangsters and mutants. Sounds strange I know, but it works. If you love your twisted, mutated killers from the standard horror films, then you’ll love the farmer character in The Cottage. Both repulsive and scary, you wouldn’t want to tread on his land. If you’re also a fan of witnessing different kinds of brutal murder and torture, then this film is for you. Without giving too much away, there is a significant scene that involves Shearsmith and a shovel which epitomises the genre – funny AND disgusting.

Paul Andrew Williams certainly makes us British look very uncool in this film; the basis of the plot is a hostage situation gone horrifically wrong, which gradually gets worse and worse as the characters ‘explore’ what lurks in the British countryside. The idiotic Brits make a number of very bad choices which inevitably leads them to an unpleasant and helpless end. Basically, this film has all the foundations that a horror film should have: suspense, gore, the shock factor and unsettling images of the killer. In terms of comedy however, The Cottage is lacking something. A mixed bag of subtle, dark humour and cheap laughs, it is difficult to categorise this film in relation to how funny or witty it actually is. Perhaps due to the many different tastes of British humour, it depends on the viewer. But, I counted, and I laughed aloud approximately five times during the ninety minutes.

I am undecided about this film, as a fan of London to Brighton, it would be nice to give Paul Andrew Williams a strong rating, but sadly, I’d be kidding myself. The Cottage is fun for a rainy day, and if the sun is shining, you’re not missing much.