August 23rd

Leave No Trace
Working Class Boy
Book Club
West of Sunshine

It's another week of strong releases, and I give one of my very rare "unmissable" scores. Good to see two Aussie films featuring. If you've got time for the movies to escape all the political shenanigans all of these are worthy offerings, and a couple are just great!!

Leave No Trace
Director: Debra Granik
Length: 110 min
Exclusive to Cinema Nova

© Nova/ Sony Pictures  -  Understated, heart-breakingly 
beautiful story of survival on many levels

Will (Ben Foster) is a Vietnam vet suffering post traumatic stress disorder. Because of his mental fragility, he feels compelled to live off the grid, isolated from society, and has done so for years with his teenage daughter Tom (Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie). Their rudimentary camp in the State Park near Portland Oregon is home for them, and neither needs any company but each other. When they are inadvertently discovered and hauled into the clutches of social services, they must try to adapt to a new way of living. To say any more about the plot would be to say too much. The story is inspired by a real-life case, and is about as compelling and moving as anything I've seen in a long time. It raises basic human questions of what is home, how important is it to fit in with societal norms, and whether nearly inseparable individuals can recognise when to let go. It's a long time since a film has been so suffused with humanist values; the characters are kind, and the only real adversaries are the conditions of a harsh nature, and the conflicting needs of the protagonists. Lead performances are heart-achingly sublime, and the northwest USA makes for a visually stunning setting.    
5 - unmissable!

Working Class Boy
Director: Mark Joffe
Length: 110 min
Limited release at various cinemas

© Universal Pictures  -  you don't need to be 
a Cold Chisel fan to love this doco. 

Hot from its world premiere at MIFF, and based upon Jimmy's autobiography, this film took me by surprise. A little boy named James Swan grew up in the rough and tough streets of Glasgow, emigrated to Oz and took his step-father's name - Barnes. He then joined a band named Cold Chisel. In this frank, painfully honest and ultimately touching doco Jimmy tells the story of his life, from his abusive and violent childhood to the life of sex, drugs and rock n roll, that has ended up with him now in a sweet spot in his life. The film is structured around a show he gives in Glasgow, mixing stories with songs, his lead backed up by his daughter Mahalia and an impressive band. Archival photos and footage are interspersed, as are interviews with family and friends. The man speaks so candidly about the dark times in his life, that it gives audiences a far greater insight into his music. Whether you are a die-hard Cold Chisel fan or not, I suspect you will be moved by Barnsie's story, and all the more impressed with the artistry and emotion behind the gravel voice.
4 - wholeheartedly recommended!

Book Club
Director: Erin Sims
Length: 104 min

© Transmission - gotta love these gals - still willing

to give love a go. 

Widow Dianne (Dianne Keaton), divorced judge Sharon (Candice Bergen), never married Vivian (Jane Fonda and "happily" married Carol (Mary Steenburgen) are lifelong friends. They meet regularly for Book Club, and this month's book is Fifty Shades of Gray. The book leads them to thinking about their lives, especially their love lives. This is the sort of film some critics love to hate. It employs many of the tried and true rom-com tropes, but hey - look at the cast! These veteran actors know how to inhabit their characters, and each one gives it their all. There are many funny lines that most women will relate to regarding the men in their lives, or even their own attitudes to love and sex, especially as they reach their more senior years. The male characters are also worthy of enjoying - especially Andy Garcia who only improves with age. Yes, confirmed feminists could argue no-one should allow men to take such an important role in their lives but what the hell - it's the sort of film to just sit back, have fun with and watch these women who know how to age well.
3 - recommended!

West of Sunshine
Director: Jason Raftopoulos
Length: 88 min

© Exile - a dad does it tough in this low-key

touching film

Jim (Damian Hill) has fallen foul of a loan shark. He is trying to juggle his job as a courier, along with having to mind his young son Alex (Ty Perham) who is on school holidays. Time is running out to repay the debt and Jim must resort to desperate measures. Director Raftopoulos's last film Pawno was a light comedy, but this one really hits hard with battlers doing it tough on the west side of Melbourne. The film focuses on one day in Jim's life, and as we get to know him we learn that he is very much the author of his own troubles. And yet his loving relationship with his son is evident (the two actors are father and step-son in real life). Despite the drama and growing tension regarding Jim's deadline, there is a gentleness to the film as the day unwinds, with unexpected outcomes and learning experiences for both father and son. Other characters such as Jim's ex-wife and his best friend Steve (Arthur Angel) are nicely drawn, while Melbourne scrubs up really well as a setting. I like this one - it doesn't over-reach, just hits the right tone with good insight into the harsher side of life. 
3.5 - well recommended!