September 24, 2007
Not sure what the last reviewer was expecting- this film was directed by Ray Lawrence, who made Lantana, a taut and thorough character exploration that simmers very slowly and unsettles you rather than boil over melodramatically.
This film aims to the same affect, and succeeds in part. There are some strong performances and engaging characters, although they do strain against a somewhat unfinished script.
The scenery is beautiful, and unlike other viewers I think that it is an important part of the story. It places the characters in their isolation and provokes them to behave in the ways they do (ditto 'the Proposition'). These are not 'rednecks' but people that have moved to a small mountain community for various reasons of escape.
The film is indeed long, and it is remarkable that it does build and maintain the dramatic tension so effectively, as it carefully reveals the intentions and self-deceptions of the main characters. However it WOULD have been more direct with judicious editing of some sequences distracting to the main event (whilst strangely important scenes were cut from the final edit!).
If you liked Lantana, then definitely see this film although it is not quite as complete or satisfying. If not, but appreciate subtle explorations of human behaviour under tension (e.g. the recent 'Lives of Others' and 'the Painted Veil') then Jindabyne should be worth your while.
This film aims to the same affect, and succeeds in part. There are some strong performances and engaging characters, although they do strain against a somewhat unfinished script.
The scenery is beautiful, and unlike other viewers I think that it is an important part of the story. It places the characters in their isolation and provokes them to behave in the ways they do (ditto 'the Proposition'). These are not 'rednecks' but people that have moved to a small mountain community for various reasons of escape.
The film is indeed long, and it is remarkable that it does build and maintain the dramatic tension so effectively, as it carefully reveals the intentions and self-deceptions of the main characters. However it WOULD have been more direct with judicious editing of some sequences distracting to the main event (whilst strangely important scenes were cut from the final edit!).
If you liked Lantana, then definitely see this film although it is not quite as complete or satisfying. If not, but appreciate subtle explorations of human behaviour under tension (e.g. the recent 'Lives of Others' and 'the Painted Veil') then Jindabyne should be worth your while.