Cottage Country (2013)

Todd Chipowski: "It's not his fault! He can't have his whole afterlife ruined because of us."

By Peter Wellington
With Malin Akerman, Tyler Labine and Dan Petronijevic

What persuaded me to see this, on top of the fact that it looked like a fun premise to a horror film, is the fact that it features Tyler Labine who was absolutely hilarious in his role in Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010).

Todd and Cammie are planning a week-end at the family's cottage near the lake. Todd has plans to propose to Cammie there. Soon after they arrive, Todd's brother Salinger arrives with his free-spirited girlfriend Masha. Todd had booked the week-end to be alone on a website they use but Salinger doesn't really care. Cammie hates the Todd always gets trampled over and decides that he has to have them leave before the morning. When Todd tries to convince Salinger to leave, things go awry and the brothers start to fight. In the heat of the moment and without thinking one bit, Todd almost decapitates his brother with an ax. At loss and not knowing what to do, he proposes to Cammie right away but she feels something is wrong. Todd admits the horrible thing he did, however, Cammie's reaction isn't what Todd expected: Cammie is not happy with the idea that Todd should turn himself in, she would end up alone, at her age, it would be hard to find someone else to have children with. She convinces Todd that they can do this, but first they need to face Masha, Salinger's girlfriend. Cammie has a plan and this time Todd will have to behave exactly as the plan say.

Well, it turned out that it wasn't exactly a horror movie as I thought it was. The movie is quite funny in the oddity of the situation the couple find themselves in. Their characters are well written and Tyler Labine is never far from a comical relief.

Despite its many comedic scenes, the movie stumbles a little half-way through and becomes a little repetitive. What started as an accident becomes an opportunity and it quickly becomes a farce which culminates in a really over-the-top climactic scene. In many aspects, it reminded me of Sightseers (2012), although I'd judge the British comedy quite superior to this Canadian effort. Cottage Country felt like it wasn't exploited to its best potential and despite its great premise it falls in a more generic style which lacks the ability to keep the audience at the edge of their seat, both in a thrilling and a comedic way.

I liked: Tyler Labine's character. Absurd situations. Beautiful Canadian countryside.

I disliked: Its entirety is not on par with the beginning and situation's setting. Explores too many genres (action, comedy, crime, thriller, horror, romance....), fails to succeed in one.

53/100
If you're a fan of Tyler Labine or his character of Dale (Tucker and Dale vs Evil) you will find a lot of similarities. However, in its entirety the movie fails to serve.