Driftwood
Directed by Tim Sullivan
Image Entertainment

While you might expect gore and humor from Tim Sullivan after 2001 Maniacs, Driftwood goes in a very different direction. The movie tackles the attitude adjustment camps that become so prevalent after the Columbine shootings. These are the type of camps meant for violent offenders yet parents would ship off kids who were strange and even gay. You might chuckle at the notion, and while the story is indeed fictional, countless horror stories have come from these camps.

Camp Driftwood is an attitude adjustment camp run by Captain Doug Kennedy, played by Diamond Dallas Page. If you think that just because the part is played by a former wrestler the performance is not up to snuff, you are dead wrong. Of course he has the size to be intimidating but he also manages to give a layered performance that is hard as nails, sadistic, and even humorous when needed. He keeps the movie moving and quickly becomes a villain that is quite easy to hate.

The main character of the film is David Forrester, a 16 year old teenager who was sent to Driftwood after his brother had died and his parents were concerned he would turn to a life of crime, of course. He doesn't like being there and doesn't mind showing it which doesn't go over well with the Captain and his staff. He is head strong and cocky and clashes with the Captain pretty consistently.

As the story unfolds supernatural elements come into play as David begins to dig up hints about a mysterious death of a teenager at the camp. David begins seeing the ghost and as the plot unfolds you find out that the Captain has more than a few skeletons in his closet.

Despite the fact that there are horrific elements to the film, this certainly isn't a cut and dry horror film. At its heart the movie is like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest meets The Exorcist. On one hand you have a group of teenagers bonding yet you have a ghost story on top which gives the movie a very unique feel.

The DVD boasts an impressive amount of bonus features. Two commentary tracks are added, while the main bonus feature is a featurette entitled Through the Gauntlet: Inside the Walls of Driftwood. It is an in-depth look into the film from pre-production to the finished product. Also included are deleted scenes, an alternate ending, the films trailer and a photo gallery.

Driftwood offers a unique twist for a prison film. With excellent acting, a terrific pace and some downright creepy moments, the movie succeeds in showing just how cruel these camps can be. Tim Sullivan has crafted a suspenseful tale of troubled youth that is sure to cause a lot of discussion.

Official Driftwood Myspace Page