Jindabyne Reviews

dripping with atmosphere...

...and the atmosphere is a brooding, dark and menacing one set against a background of multlayered human dysfunction, social and domestic. So not exactly a feelgood movie. Having said that the film has tremendous realism -some excellently awkward short, bleak takes that portray the subtle nuances of humans relating badly and there is brilliant character development of the various flawed and damaged human beings as the plot unfolds. Many rather unflattering aspects of Australian culture and society are eloquently and sympathetically captured -certainly dispelling any rose tinted illusions one might have about the continent. First rate acting and very satisfying overall shape to the plot. Classy. Well crafted. Watch it.

[Highly rated reviewer]

A film about prejudice

A telling film in many ways. As the husband of an Australian 'sheila', I know Australia quite well - tho I must say I haven't spent any significant time in a place like Jindabyne. The film portrays some immediately recognisable Australian dynamics.

Aborigines feature quite heavily in this film. It doesn't quite capture their spirit or their reputation - tho it comes closer than any other film I have seen. The headline plot revolves around whether the four white weekenders are racist for not immediately reporting their discovery of a dead Aborigine woman in their remote fishing river. The implication is that if they had found an Aborigine man, or a non-Aborigine, or heaven-forbid a non-Aborigine man, then they'd have reacted differently.

The interest value of the film is that the headline plot is almost a sideline. This is no Wolf Creek but holds your interest thru-out. It is pretty, but not happy; it won't lift your spirits, but should get you thinking. Ultimately however it is telling that the lead actor of such a quintessially Oz film is Irish and the film has 'interest value' without ever becoming a great film.

australian dream?

anyone who covets the very British dream of spending a year in Australia should watch this film.Ostensibly a murder story it shows the small lives of a fairly typically small Australian town,complete with Irish and American immigrants,and the way they barely rub along with the indigenous population.One is left with an overwhelmingly bleak view of wasted lives and narrow outlooks

[Highly rated reviewer]

Carry on fishing

There is a lot going on in this story of rural Australia. It starts with the premise that if you discover a body on a fishing trip you need to report it immediately rather than carry on fishing. Criticised by the townspeople and the Aboriginies (the dead girl is an Aboriginie) on their return relationships unravel under the strain. So we have racial issues, husband and wife issues, parenting issues, male bonding issues. For me, Lawrence and his scriptwriter put rather too many ingredients into the pot but others may not have this problem. Lawrence certainly knows how to film and the visuals are excellent. Very accomplished too are the central performances from Byrne and Linney. However, I was unable to suspend my disbelief at some of the twists in the plotting that Lawrence subjected us too. A decent film and definitely worth renting when it becomes available. I just wish I could say that I enjoyed it more.

jindabyne

I just wasted 2 hours of my life watching this film.

I just wish i'd stapled my eyelids together instead.

Storyline weak

No suspense

Boring throughout

Ending... didn't come soon enough.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Pointless

I carried on watching this film throughout thinking the storyline would eventually have a point. Let me save other viewers the time. It doesn't!

Jindabyne

Slightly confused by the reviews? This appears to be either the worse film of all time or one of the best depending on what review you read. Well let me clear the fog...

So its a film about a serial killer, so if you are hoping for 7even or perhaps Wolf Creek you will be dissappointed. If you rent films from Blockbuster, raved about Pirates (out on the same week) or come from Peterborough you will probably also hate it.

However, if you like your films subtly crafted, completely understated and don't mind hitting the end credits with more questions then you had at the start then you might well love this piece of work. The main plot line of a serial killer on the loose is nothing more then a backdrop for the tangled web of human emotions that unravel over the course of the film. The acting is top notch, the cinematography sublime and the sound track moody. If these are what you are looking for in afilm then rent this film. If not then wait for the American remake which WILL come as they will certianly want to churn out the usual mainstreem sterotypical bilge they always do and then everyone who rated this as a Zero will get to love it to!

By the way the only clue I think you get as to the killers motives is the very first line he says to the victim.. ..one to argue about afterwards.

Great acting...

Gabriel Byrne is at his best in Jindabyne and plays the part of Stuart, a garage owner and fisherman in sunny Australia. While on a fishing weekend, Stuart and his fishing friends make a discovery that will have a major impact on the community of Jindabyne. The fishermen finds themselves in a tricky dilemmna that has moral and social implications. Jindabyne is superbly directed, has an excellent cast,fantastic scenery, brilliant soundtrack and I recommend you watch it at the earliest opportunity.

JIINDABYNE

THIS IS A REALLY DISAPPOINTING FILM WITH NO ATMOSPHERE OR STORYLINE TO GRIP YOU - THERE IS LOADS OF MISCASTING AND WHATEVER POINT THE FILM IS TRYING TO MAKE IS LOST DUE TO THE DREARY CHARACTERS AND PECULIAR SCRIPT. I PERSEVERED TO THE END, AND WISHED I HADN'T BOTHERED - NEVER MIND BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME EH?

Jindabyne

Absolute rubbish film not worth renting