"Hunters' Crossing" is a story about friendship cloaked in a hunting competition and blundering search for Bigfoot. Much like good punk rock this film is low-budget, fast- paced, human and a little hyperbolic. It's a self-proclaimed mockumentary, which means that the bulk of the movies' success relies on its characters.
Our main characters are Hank Williams (Noah Schindler), a young hunter who is as dense as Georgia's summers are humid and Trevor Farleys (Rieves Bowers), a Bigfoot hunter who is even dumber. They don't have much more depth than that. This means that both the comedy and tragedy that befall them aren't as layered as they could be. But neither are these two characters a drag on the film. Their friendship is one of the funniest and sweetest elements of the movie. The actors have good chemistry and it's clear they are having fun with each other as well as the rest of the cast.
The Main supporting cast of Willis Hampton (Mason Taylor), Fred "The Exterminator" Palmer (Jake Dogias) and Clive Harris (Ryan Sliwinski) also lack the depth that allows for their comedic improv to hit harder. That being said, they also manage to get a solid number laughs and carry the film well.
However, there is one character who feels out of place. Samantha Burd (Marisa Roper). She seems stiff where the other characters have hints of something deeper. The way Samantha is portrayed makes her feel simply like a caricature. When we get to her first scene it feels like the movie comes to a full stop. Samantha's purpose seems to be purely about giving Hank and Trevor another opportunity for some comedy, but her frustration with their stupidity goes passed a believable level and kills the energy the other two bring to that scene. It also seems highly unlikely that a P.E.T.A. member would show up to a hunter's cabin. Her character would work better if she was a nosy neighbor who hated hunting or just hated people in general.
Aside from her, the only other issues with the film are minor. Muzzle flash effects, and a greater diversity of costumes would add needed reality, so that when the film decides to dip into something surreal, it seems more intentional.
And yet, it's clear that love and effort were put into this film. There are a variety of locations that add good flavor to the film. Some where it's clear they had no permit and so these scenes are even more appreciated. The camera work along with the editing are both well done, because films shot documentary style can be dry with mostly flat angles and shot reverse shot. But there is enough variety here to keep the film from feeling stale. And of course, the actors seem truly to be enjoying playing their characters.
"Hunters' Crossing" is a passion project that is genuinely enjoyable. The production is clearly low-budget, but that only adds to the charm this film has. And while "Hunters' Crossing" lacks depth, it's still funny, sweet and slightly absurd.
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