A boat is the setting for this film which owes much to DEAD CALM, an infinitely superior thriller made in 1989. This copycat is betrayed by the obviously low budget, but it's watchable enough and will pass the time if you've got nothing better to do. The plot is virtually the same, with a couple's idyllic cruise being hampered by the arrival of a psychotic outside party(s), the husband leaving and the wife being forced to fend for herself. While DEAD CALM relied on the solid acting of the three principle stars and some well-crafted shock scenes, UNLAWFUL PASSAGE needs the support of two heavies as the bad guys, as one just won't cut it.
The acting can't really be faulted too much, although nobody rises above a typical television episode standard. The two guys playing the baddies fight a lot and do bad Billy Zane/Christian Slater impressions. However while Zane was charismatic, chilling and, well, menacing, in equal amounts in DEAD CALM, these guys just look moronic (and also too young). The fact that they have to rely on weaponry shows you how threatening they really are. The actor playing the husband is largely miscast as a heroic type. Sam Neill I can go with, yes, but not this big guy who would look more at home fishing than fighting a maniac. Felicity Waterman learnt much of her bad acting skills (and awful British accent) from KNOTS LANDING, and the cleverest thing in the film is her casting as a television star. Funny how films mirror real life, isn't it? To be fair, she's adequate in the role, but the camera seems happier watching her topless or in a bikini than when her face is in view. Which is a shame really.
The film is very predictable (especially if you've seen DEAD CALM, in which case give this one a miss, you'll only end up disappointed) and has some brief gore to savour. But really, if you're relying on a cast of five to support the thing, then it's best to choose the best actors and actresses you can find, and not just some Joe off the street. It just won't work. UNLAWFUL PASSAGE is thereby adequate, but nothing to get excited about.
The acting can't really be faulted too much, although nobody rises above a typical television episode standard. The two guys playing the baddies fight a lot and do bad Billy Zane/Christian Slater impressions. However while Zane was charismatic, chilling and, well, menacing, in equal amounts in DEAD CALM, these guys just look moronic (and also too young). The fact that they have to rely on weaponry shows you how threatening they really are. The actor playing the husband is largely miscast as a heroic type. Sam Neill I can go with, yes, but not this big guy who would look more at home fishing than fighting a maniac. Felicity Waterman learnt much of her bad acting skills (and awful British accent) from KNOTS LANDING, and the cleverest thing in the film is her casting as a television star. Funny how films mirror real life, isn't it? To be fair, she's adequate in the role, but the camera seems happier watching her topless or in a bikini than when her face is in view. Which is a shame really.
The film is very predictable (especially if you've seen DEAD CALM, in which case give this one a miss, you'll only end up disappointed) and has some brief gore to savour. But really, if you're relying on a cast of five to support the thing, then it's best to choose the best actors and actresses you can find, and not just some Joe off the street. It just won't work. UNLAWFUL PASSAGE is thereby adequate, but nothing to get excited about.