MovieChat Forums > Backcountry (2015) Discussion > So.... What was the point in Eric Balfou...

So.... What was the point in Eric Balfour's character?

posted 9 years ago by buffy1234515
18 replies | jump to latest

And don't say 'to save her at the end' cause that could be any random extra and the ending would still be the same

He was added for no purpose at all, we know it was a survival movie which included a bear, so what was the point in the 'menacing' scene with Balfour's (randomly Irish) character?
It added NOTHING in the story and by the end of the movie that is what went through my mind

It an 'ok' movie, some parts annoyed me, especially the eric balfour scene and the fact that the boyfriend was killed pretty much straight away when the bear is seen, it left over a half hour of Missy Peregrym's character running away, it just felt over long even for a 90 minute movie - but a BIG PLUS for the music

[–] Wuchak (8306) 5 years ago

Along with the three points noted by trishau-53322 earlier in this thread, the inclusion of Brad in the first act (the outdoors guide) corresponds to story structure "rules" in any type of suspense yarn, which is: When things slow down, bring in some kind of conflict, particularly in the first act. In other words, to encourage a viewer to keep watching give him/her something near the beginning: conflict, trouble, fear, violence.

I just viewed the movie and I was bored with it up until Brad was introduced, which leads to the subdued conflict between the two men and eventual confrontation/challenge. This relatively gripping sequence perked up my attention and encouraged me to keep watching. It's why the writer/director included it, along with the other three reasons.

[–] ronnoco28 (11) a year ago

I think Brad added to the suspense of the movie. He was pretty creepy (peeing in front of them, insinuating that Alex was a loser because he was a landscaper, coming on to Jen and handling her underwear, and interrogating Alex about his 'misunderstanding' remark). There was something strange and ominous about him. For the next few days, it seemed like he may have been stalking them. We didn't know it was a bear until later.

Although at the end, maybe he and Jenn got together, now that Alex was disposed of. He clearly was attracted to her, and for some weird reason, she seemed to be attracted to him, too.