RUTABAGA tells the story of a young journalist who, fresh after a break-up, accepts an assignment to write an article about the opening of a remote inn. Once he gets there, he notices something disconcerting about the people who run it, as well as unusual happenings which get progressively more ominous.
This is a basement budget film which unfortunately cannot overcome its financial constraints with creative spark. The basic concept, though familiar, is not bad, but the execution is barely (and then not even always) above amateur level.
The film starts out with an argument between a couple, but other than a few passing references later in the movie, that storyline goes nowhere. The film stock gives the movie a found-footage feel even though it is not one, and the cinematography is mediocre at best. The hairdo of one of the actresses distracts from her scenes because it looks like a bad wig. The other actress does manage to convey a sinister side to her character, but in general the acting is not much to talk about either.
The build-up lacks a sense of dread or excitement, so that when the story gets to the final act, it seems abrupt. Also, several scenes are highly implausible. For instance, in one scene a character is being suffocated with a plastic bag while his hands are free. Why does he not just tear the plastic bag, or at least attempt to?
There are hints here and there that there was a vision behind the movie, but the execution falls so drastically short that one cannot even be sure whether there really was one. A movie which I think had kind of a similar vision (if there was one) and then executed it nearly flawlessly is THE WITCH (2015), which gives an idea of what this movie could have been in skillful hands.
