Restraint Movie Review, Film Still and Poster

Australia 2006
Director: David Deenan
Cast: Teresa Palmer, Stephen Moyer, Travis Fimmel, Philip Holder, Taylor Owynns
Release Date: 2008
Rating: R
Running Time: 1 hour 31 minutes 20 secs

Review of the Movie

Restraint film still 1


RESTRAINT
Storyline:
Cast:
Ending:
Overall:

Ahh..., what a titillating little poster eh? Saucy. On the level with you all, I personally think that there are two main reasons why moviegoers are eager to check this horror flick out. First, of course, tempted by the figure on the poster. And second, to see if Australia comes out with another thriller flick as brilliant as Wolf Creek. Probably your reasons are not on the list, but those were my sole ones. So I'm gonna lay it out for you whether my expectations came true or not.

Restraint's storyline revolves around the relationship built among the Hottie Dale (Teresa Palmer), the Hot-headed Ron (Travis Fimmel) and the Agoraphobic Andrew (Stephen Moyer). After an incident which is caused by Ron in which he kills an attendant in the local service station, Ron and his girlfriend Dale seek refuge to an old and off-the-road house owned by Andrew. Being panic for having his face exposed in the media, Ron forces Andrew to play along with him in return for Andrew's life, much to Dale's indifference. However, things are starting to take an unexpected turn when Dale pervasively inclines to Andrew which Andrew is seemingly has secret intention towards her. Probably Andrew is not exactly what Ron and Dale think. What will befall upon them with the new relationship bond among them?

One needs to heavily improvise if one wants to compete in the movie world. Restraint's unique premise has already captured my attention, and I was expecting that the movie would become more suspenseful as the minutes went by. Hear this, A brutal Jock and A hot dish encounter an Agoraphobic person (afraid of going outside the house). Three distinctive personalities here people, which means those leading actors and actress should be outstanding ones and a big part of this movie's entertainment value lies on their hands. Sigh, but unfortunately the promising premise ends up nothing but a stylized version of an ordinary erotic thriller.

Restraint is an Australian movie headlined by the sexy Teresa Palmer and Travis Fimmel which both are indeed Australian actors. Stephen Moyer as Andrew is the only lead actor who's coming from outside Aussie. And just a reminder about Teresa Palmer, that if you have Wolf Creek DVD, then look closely on a scene with the pool party, you might just notice her. That was a just small role actually, but not in Restraint. She gives us all out, which is a good thing and probably one of key factor to the success of Restraint. However both actors are also give good acting with Travis who performs an unstable, stressed out & edgy young man and Stephen who could portrait a highly introverted person.

And concerning that, my expectations are not fulfilled entirely. This is not a Wolf Creek, and even without any intention to compare Restraint with it (which I mean by looking at Restraint as a thriller movie on its own), Restraint is not great, it's not even a good one. It's just not bad (not bad at all). But if you haven't got any other options, you might want to consider giving it a go, unless your Favorite Movie Theater charges much money to watch this film (as in its native country, Aussie). And...unless...your sole reason is like my first one, titillated by the poster? Aha, this poster is an honest one, you will get what you think. And actually I just feel bad for Teresa Palmer, she's a good actress and has potential to be big. Had only the script tweaked more (and I mean more), her gracing the screen and Restraint would be a blast to kill time. Don't get me wrong, Restraint will not bore you to death, it's just not enough of a thriller movie plus it resorts more to the sensuality of Teresa to save the day.