This is a film that has everything going for it - except a credible script. There are numerous aspects of the film that strain credulity, including the premise that a man would actually attempt suicide by attaching a hose to the tailpipe of his car, and then park it across the street from a grocery store (probably the only one in town, no less). The idea that a man with no outdoor survival skills could actually make it, day after day, week after week, and ultimately, year after year in the wilds of the Quebec wilderness is absurd. The concept of Church's character slowly disintegrating due to the guilt he feels because of the "accidental" killing of a newly made acquaintance, and the technique of using flashbacks to explain what is happening is really imaginative, but not new. Most of the acting is just adequate, with the exception of Church, who essentially carries the film on his back, despite a script that leaves a lot to be desired. He is perfectly cast, but the other actors are forgettable and really not very good. The music is a plus, as is the cinematography, which is really quite good. Bottom line: I'd love to see a remake of this film with more attention paid to details, something this version sorely lacked. If you like films involving intense psychological overtones, you might enjoy this one. But be warned: it's hardly perfect.
