After meeting at a nightclub in a Mediterranean resort, seven young adults decide to continue partying aboard a luxury yacht in the middle of the ocean. But when one of them dies in a freak accident, the others argue about what to do, which leads to a ruthless fight for survival (Internet).
Rating: Rated R for a scene of strong sexual content involving an aberrant violent act, graphic nudity, violence, language and drug use.
Release Date: January 23, 2009.
Starring: Robert Boulter, Sian Breckin, Tom Burke, Nichola Burley, Julian Morris, Jay Taylor, and Jaime Winstone.
Director: Oliver Blackburn.
Writers: Oliver Blackburn, and David Bloom.
Composer: François-Eudes Chanfrault.
"Donkey Punch," is a film from the United Kingdom that follows seven travellers who are out for a good time, but instead find themselves in the middle of a murder. The plot line within "Donkey Punch," is overly linear with the group of twenty-somethings moving from club, to beach, to boat, to sex and then murder with little character or story development. Most of the conversations revolve around drugs and sexual positions, early in the film and turn to survival and maintaining reputation later. There is very little substance to the picture as the characters act in a bizarre fashion the whole time, and it is difficult to empathize with any of the characters in the film. Each character is simply out for themselves once the murder takes place and the film's story seems to go downhill from there.
The whole picture takes place within a twenty-four hour period while the bright lighting, early in the film highlights the party, happy atmosphere and later the dark emphasizes the horror. The simplistic use of a shaky camera is an attempt to make the viewer feel as if they are part of the party and the technique works slightly, but few people would want to associate with these mostly stupid characters or actors. The darkness later in the film does keep the horror tone going while the characters fight over the outcome of their dead friend. However, the shallowness of the two-dimensional characters cannot be given any help from the lighting or poor directing effects.
The music within "Donkey Punch," is light and stays with the party atmosphere of the travellers initially and then completely disappears halfway through. The picture uses several different dance songs to keep the energy up until the middle of the film; after some plot developments involving death and sex the music is completely absent. The songs in the beginning of the film actually stay in tone with the development of the story and while varying in intensity the use of music continually through the picture could have given this film a boost. Unfortunately, this does not happen.
The directing style of Oliver Blackburn is average as most of the shots do not stray very far from extreme close ups or straight scene cuts, only a few long distance shots of the yacht add any contrast. There are no breaks in the scene changes as the director moves from shot to shot and character to character with blinding speed. Overtime the dizzying scene changes blur the vision and break up the story of the film. More fade in and outs to black could have made the picture more watchable or focusing in and out, instead the constant edits seem to attack the senses.
"Donkey Punch," does not give the actors much substance to work with and the lack of a well written script means the believability of the characters and any motivations are missing. Would girls really get on a boat with some guys they have met for an hour? Would a man really punch a girl during sex? And would people actually try to cover up a murder rather than contacting authorities? No, no, and no and the incomprehensible behaviour of the characters within "Donkey Punch," is very distracting. Only the relationship between two brothers comes off as believable in a few scenes. Thankfully, the ending comes in early at a reasonably short ninety minutes.
Overall, "Donkey Punch," is a very disappointing film and a difficult watch. Despite a couple of creative death sequences midway in this film is not rewatchable and only slightly deserving of a first time watch, if free. Save yourself time, money, and a boring experience and rent or download other more original horror flicks as this piece is completely forgettable.
4 Laughing Skulls out of 10.
A trailer for this underachieving horror film:
Sources:
Donkey Punch at IMDB
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3 comments
Dear Michael,
I don't understand "after some plot developments involving death and sex the music is completely absent."
You may dislike the movie, but at least, don't write such silly things.
You are definitely deaf as there's uncut music from the killing (~00:30:00) to the end.
As you missed it, i suggest you rewatch the movie just to listen to the sound, while you can make something else, like doing the dishes.
You can also buy the soundtrack from Warp Record and be surprised to discover two cds, with one containing parts of the original soundtrack.
Regards
Okay first off leave your identity as this will determine, for me whether you have a bias towards the film. Secondly, do not use ad hominem attacks in your argument i.e. "You are definitely deaf..." stay with the topic. And thirdly there is no way I will sit through this film for a third time; I am falling behind on my schoolwork as it is.
-Mike
Actually now I am curious as to who this is. If you check back and state your name I will recheck the movie and my review of the film.
Curious,
Mike
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