BEAUTIFUL CREATURES
Rachel Weisz
Susan Lynch
Iain Glen

British films have come a long way in the past few years, with their own innovative styles causing quite a stir in the mainstream film markets. Beautiful Creatures is another quirky British hopeful seeking recognition in the big bad movie world, and it does not look as if it will fare too badly.

Beautiful Creatures marks the feature film directorial debut of Bill Eagles who is better known for his television pieces, more recently in the drama Touching Evil with Robson Green. The transition from small-screen to big-screen is truly unnoticeable; the film itself runs smoothly immersing the audience in what is essentially a film of two women striking out against male oppression, violence and sexual objectification.

The pair joins forces after Dorothy (played by Susan Lynch) rescues Petula (Rachel Weisz) from her drunken boyfriend, inadvertently killing him. Attempting to cover up the accidental murder both women are forced into an increasingly elaborate and dangerous attempt to evade discovery, involving a very comic kidnapping plot.

What makes this film unusual is its ability to mix real tension with comedy. Eagles balances the dark humour with gritty drama remarkably well. Considering the serious content of the film the humour is never placed inappropriately, which it so easily could have been, demonstrating the high levels of skill possessed by the director.

It is almost inevitable that Beautiful Creatures will draw immediate comparisons to Thelma and Louise, being similar in both content and style. The fundamental difference is that Eagles believes strongly in 'what goes around comes around', so be prepared for an explosive climax.

Beautiful Creatures is a highly enjoyable film, perhaps lacking in the originality department but has enough plot twists, gags and gore to keep even the most demanding cinemagoer happy.

7/10 Anne Wiseman