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Beyond the Reach

A Cinematic Deconstruction of a Desert Thriller

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Overview

Film Synopsis

"Beyond the Reach" is a 2014 American thriller film directed by Jean-Baptiste Lรฉonetti, penned by Stephen Susco, and based on Robb White's 1972 novel "Deathwatch." The narrative centers on a wealthy hunter, John Madec, who hires a young tracker, Ben, to guide him in the Mojave Desert. What begins as a hunting expedition quickly devolves into a deadly cat-and-mouse game when Madec accidentally kills a prospector and attempts to frame Ben for the crime, forcing Ben into a desperate fight for survival against his ruthless employer in the harsh desert landscape.

Box Office Performance

The film achieved a modest box office return, grossing approximately $1.1 million worldwide. This figure reflects its distribution strategy, which included simultaneous theatrical and on-demand releases in the United States, targeting a niche audience for the thriller genre.

Critical Consensus

Critically, "Beyond the Reach" garnered generally unfavorable reviews. While Michael Douglas's performance was often noted, the film was frequently criticized for its predictable plot, underdeveloped characters, and pacing issues, leading to a mixed reception on aggregate review sites.

Plot Synopsis

The Desert Confrontation

The film opens with the ostentatious display of John Madec's luxury all-terrain vehicle in a small Mojave Desert town. Madec, a wealthy collector, bribes the local sheriff to facilitate his hunt for an endangered desert bighorn sheep. He enlists the experienced tracker Ben as his guide. During the expedition, Madec, driven by a "shoot first" mentality, accidentally kills an old prospector named Charlie.

Madec attempts to coerce Ben into a cover-up, offering him wealth and college tuition in exchange for complicity. When Ben refuses, Madec destroys Ben's emergency transponder and orders him to strip naked and venture into the desert, intending for him to die of exposure. Madec plans to fabricate a story of Ben having gone mad. He monitors Ben from a distance with his rifle scope. Ben, however, manages to find refuge in Charlie's subterranean lair, escaping an explosion orchestrated by Madec using Charlie's dynamite. He also retrieves a "treasure map" from Charlie's belongings, vowing to bring justice for the prospector. Ben finds a water barrel, but Madec shoots it, further imperiling him.

As night falls, Ben uses the map to find a slingshot and marbles among Charlie's effects. He seeks a hidden grotto of water he once shared with his girlfriend, Laina, only to find it dry. Madec continues his pursuit, using his vehicle's powerful floodlights. Ultimately, Ben outsmarts Madec, using the slingshot to overcome him.

The climax sees Madec escaping police custody and confronting Ben and Laina in their home. Laina uses the gun Ben had taught her to shoot to defend them, ultimately killing Madec.

Principal Cast

Starring Roles

The film features a notable cast, led by:

  • Michael Douglas as John Madec
  • Jeremy Irvine as Ben
  • Ronny Cox as Sheriff J. Robb
  • Hanna Mangan-Lawrence as Laina

Supporting Cast

Additional cast members include:

  • Patricia Bethune as Secretary
  • Martin Palmer as Charlie
  • David Garver as Ben's father

Production Details

Filming and Development

Development for the film, initially titled "The Reach," began with Michael Douglas and Jeremy Irvine joining the cast in September 2013. Principal photography commenced shortly thereafter, on September 13, 2013, in Farmington and Shiprock, New Mexico. The production concluded in late October of the same year. The film's setting in the stark desert landscape of New Mexico was integral to its atmosphere and narrative tension.

Production Companies

The film was produced by a collaboration of production entities, including:

  • Furthur Films
  • Literal Media

Michael Douglas himself served as a producer, alongside Robert Mitas.

Release and Distribution

Premiere and Theatrical Run

"Beyond the Reach" premiered globally at the 39th Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2014, under its original title, "The Reach." Following its festival debut, Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions acquired the U.S. distribution rights for $2.2 million. The film was subsequently released in theaters and simultaneously made available via video on demand in the United States on April 17, 2015.

Distribution Partners

Distribution in the United States was handled by a joint effort from:

  • Lionsgate Films
  • Roadside Attractions

The film was shot in English and its primary country of origin is the United States.

Critical Reception

Aggregated Scores

The film received a predominantly negative reception from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 36% approval rating based on 66 reviews, with an average rating of 5.0/10. The consensus notes that while the film promises genre pleasures, it ultimately falters due to a misguided narrative. Metacritic assigned the film a score of 34 out of 100, based on 19 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.

Critical Commentary

Reviewers frequently pointed to the film's narrative shortcomings. Bill Goodykoontz of The Arizona Republic awarded it two out of five stars, deeming it a "misfire" that failed to achieve "guilty pleasure" status. Michael O'Sullivan of The Washington Post criticized the final act for collapsing into "blockheaded manhunter-movie cliches." Tirdad Derakhshani of The Philadelphia Inquirer noted the paper-thin characters and agonizingly slow action. Conversely, Linda Barnard of the Toronto Star found Douglas's performance and the film's stylized aesthetic to be an "entertaining hit of escapist fun," awarding it three out of four stars.

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Beyond the Reach Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This document has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence system. The content is derived from publicly available data, primarily the Wikipedia article on "Beyond the Reach," and is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, the AI cannot guarantee the completeness, timeliness, or absolute veracity of the information presented.

This is not professional film criticism or analysis. The information provided herein should not be considered a substitute for expert review or critical engagement with the film itself. Users are encouraged to consult original sources and professional analyses for a comprehensive understanding. The creators of this page are not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information provided.