MovieChat Forums > Lake Mungo (2010) Discussion > Why this film is so great and why the ra...

Why this film is so great and why the ratings are so low.

posted 8 years ago by praybird
3 replies | jump to latest

"Lake Mungo" is without a doubt one of the best horrow films out there.
I saw it twice and for the second time it's splendor is even more obvious to me.
What also is obvious to me - the reason behind the low ratings.

The truth is that this film is too good to be a big success! It's literally too good for the popular masses.

Joel Anderson's direction is so nuanced and subtle. So under the surface.

And also..... It's so deeply sad. Its about how tragic someone's life and death can be. The saddest part is that the sadness doesn't end with death.
And this no solution, no catharsis even, and this is what is too unbearable for most of people.Because most people want to escape the sadness not to dive into it that deep.

The saddest part for ME is that Joel Anderson hasn't made another film since "Lake Mungo". He is so talented.

P.s. English is not my first language so have mercy on me))

[–] capkronos 8 years ago

IMDb users think every comic book superhero movie belongs in the Top 250 so I'd take the general consensus around here with a grain of salt. Still, this movie is very polarizing. Those who love it really love it and those who don't seem to detest it. Not every film works for every viewer. I think the extreme views, both good and bad, are a good thing because at least the film is provoking a strong emotion from people. The worst reception any film can get is one of indifference.

This movie REALLY took me by surprise when I first watched it a few years back and has gone on to become one of my absolute favorites. I find it fascinating, moving, multi-layered, extremely successful in its generation of mood, thought provoking and, yeah, pretty damn creepy in spots. However, for those who can't get into it, it's pretty much torture to sit through. Sucks to be them, I guess!

All that said, this film is building a decent legacy for itself already and it's not even a decade old yet. It has surprisingly strong critical support (currently with a 93 percent positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes) and on a recent Time Out poll the movie ranked #63 on their list of greatest horror films of all time. The list was selected by film critics, scholars and famous horror directors, novelists, actors, etc. Just goes to show the film is indeed appreciated and those that hold it in high regard hold it in very high regard.

My horror movie blog:
http://thebloodypitofhorror.blogspot.com/

[–] pauljwilliams9 8 years ago

I completely agree with you, praybird and capkronos. It's an eerie and sad gem of a movie that's definitely not for the mainstream, and it's funny we haven't seen anything since from Joel Anderson.

And praybird: Your English isn't bad at all. In fact, it's better than most native speakers.

[–] davidsw-74957 7 years ago

I'm agree with you, I really liked the movie, I enjoyed a lot. I saw it on TV and I thought that it might be another "false documentary" movie, but it is not, I never get bored