Don't expect a jolly evening

Surprisingly bleak for an american film.

Reference to Nicholson's other mad man characters, by use of same actor playing the Gas Station owner as was the bar man in 'Shining' and the appearance of a large crazy Indian as in '.......Cuckoo's Nest' Probably more too that I didn't spot.

None of the adult characters were unsullied, which made me wonder how the perhaps overly sweet and innocent children change into these strange people - maybe something to do with choccy porcupines.

Good cinematography. The director and actors didn't seem to get in the way which is good. I felt for the characters and could go with the plot, and that is what I like.