AN OUTSTANDING FILM FROM AUSTRALIA
Added 6/11/2009
This movie is a quirky delight. The romantic lead is an odd young man on the verge of graduating high school and although he does not possess Hollywood good looks, he is endearing all the same. He has been tortured by the social elite of his school all his life but his "new age" hipster parents might have a LOT to answer for, say for instance, making him start school in a dress so they could address their issues with gender discrimination.
The main character is aptly named - Placid Lake - as it foreshadows. He exhibits calmness, no matter the storm around him, with an unfathomable depth. Everything in this movie has something to say - starting with the title, the reworking of his winning film project, and Placid thinking he could fly and then working at Icarius Insurance - but the scariest truths are those that are said in asides. Placid's mentor at work was a chilling mix of platitudes and honesty. The dialogue is a polished jewel and I am impressed with the acting, the first time direction (Tony McNamara) and all the rest.
This movie addresses so many issues and confronts them with humor, dark and light. There are no neatly packaged solutions provided but a nice summation of embracing yourself in all your flawed glory. This is a movie to own and appreciate, not rent
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To Conform or Not To Conform, that is the question
Added 4/17/2009
What a gorgeous little film from Australia. It's so fabulous when a film starts with a particular quirky style and carries that style all the way to the end. When a character has a different outlook on life and the film doesn't degrade into standard melodrama. Ah I just love good films like this one.
The film follows Placid Lake's life from a young boy to a grown man trying to make a living. Placid has many difficulties in life, a band of boys that beat him up daily at school. A pair of parents that are 100% completely stuck in the 60's and into themselves. His saving grace is a gorgeous intelligent and brave female friend, Gemma played by Rose Byrne (Damages television series).
This film reminded me of several other films, but only in passing. Oddly, The Wild Thornberries (The Wild Thornberrys Movie) was one of them, mostly because of the quirky parents and a narrator that is intelligent but odd. And for reasons I don't totally understand, this felt a bit like Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist (Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist [UMD for PSP]) - it's probably the relationship between Placid and Gemma was very similar to Nick and Nora. The music in Placid Lake was excellent, but not nearly as outstanding as Nick and Nora.
The performances were outstanding. Every character was believeable and well acted. Even minor characters like Jenny, the tightly wound corporate climber, and Anton, the equally tightly wound corporate climber; were well played. The sound was very well recorded, dialog was crystal clear, and music supported the film nicely. There were not many special sound effects. Editing was tight and very well paced. The hour and a half film felt exactly the right length. Production was good, each setting felt very real.
For a first time directing, this is a marvelously well done film.
The film is not rated, but would likely be PG-13 (elsewhere in the world it has 13/14/15 year ratings. There is no nudity. Some slightly strong language. There are some sensual situations, Jenny and Placid end up in the stationery room together, and Placid and Gemma discuss sex. There is no violence, although Placid does get beaten up every day at school (it's shown artistically and not in some mean spirited fashion).
What a fantastic little movie that sort of came out of nowhere. It's fantastic that Film Movements picked this up. Sorry that it didn't get much wider distribution, it's a wonderful film.
Presented as a part of the Film Movement series of independent films from around the world. This brand always means the film will not be mainstream. It will likely be somewhat edgy or pushing the envelope somewhat. Frequently the films are by first time directors. And they are very rarely American films. It's a fantastic film series worth checking out.
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Offbeat Chemistry
Added 3/24/2008
Ben Lee, as he is known in his 6 CD releases, or Benny Lee as he is billed in this film, stars as Placid Lake, a kid brought up by quintessential new age parents who are overly permissive. To equip him with a different perspective, they send him to elementary school in a dress. Garry McDonald who played the Doctor in "Moulin Rouge" plays daddy Doug Lake, a bit controlled by his better half. Miranda Richardson plays his mother Sylvia who wants to study native life in Tuuvalu while also experimenting with same gender physical satisfaction. The two-time Oscar nominee Richardson plays the role vividly on a similar scale to her Rita Skeeter in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Widescreen Edition). Placid's best friend is Gemma Taylor, a brainiac who also doesn't fit in. Gemma is played by Rose Byrne who won the Best Actress Volpi Cup award in 2000 from the Venice International Film Festival for Goddess of 1967. She has also played in "Troy," "Wicker Park," and "Two Hands" with Heath Ledger. She & Lee generate an offbeat chemistry. Placid's rebellion leads him to pattern his dress and hair after American president George W. Bush. This leads him to being hired into an insurance firm and fast tracked with Jane played by Saskia Smith who likes to take pleasure breaks in the stationery closet. Placid fends off three attackers and persuades one dimwitted student to chain himself without clothes to Gemma's table leg by a dog collar in order to win her affections. Australian playwright Tony McNamara adapted the screenplay from his stage play "The Cafe Latte Kid." Film Movement has presented another unusual international film that is well worth seeing. Enjoy!
8 out of 8 people found this helpful.
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excellent excellent
Added 1/25/2008
This film is fantastic. Witty, intelligent, and refreshing. And Ben Lee is adorable
1 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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Just hilarious!
Added 1/12/2008
What a great, funny and creative film. I loved it all the way from the hilarious first hour to it's deeper conclusion.
A must!
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