Briar Patch

"Briar Patch" (also known as "Plain Dirty") really took me by surprise. Despite its direct-to-video origins, the movie is surprisingly cinematic. Shot on location in the swamps of North Carolina, every bit of grime and drop of sweat registers beautifully on screen. This is a seamy, sordid tale of two men (Henry Thomas and Arie Verveen) fighting to assert control over headstrong beauty Inez (Dominique Swain), who has plans of her own.

All three leads are excellent, but Verveen really stands out in the difficult role of Flowers. At first, he seems to be little more than a man-child, playing with hand puppets and hanging on his friend Edgar's every word. Later, he's revealed to be a surprisingly conniving manipulator, becoming the film's driving force. Karen Allen features in an excellent supporting role as Inez' fortune telling friend.

Recalling classic Southern sleaze like "God's Little Acre" and "Baby Doll", this one clearly slipped under the radar and warrants rediscovery.