Jindabyne on DVD (2006)

dripping with atmosphere...

A customer from Ipswich, UK , 22/06/2007

...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.

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A film about prejudice

wreeve from London NW3 [Highly rated reviewer] , 13/06/2007

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.

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australian dream?

A customer from hassocks england , 30/05/2007

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

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Carry on fishing

Zamy from London [Highly rated reviewer] , 05/06/2007

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.

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Bleak

crispin40 from Stirling, Scotland , 14/10/2007

This is a very bleak view of life and/or death in small town Australia. We felt that there was always more tragedy simmering in the background. Excellently acted and the scenes of the woods and the rivers and lakes are superb. Left with a very sad feeling.

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Food for thought.

granita from Farnham [Highly rated reviewer] , 10/02/2008

A subtly crafted film set in an isolated part of Australia, where the awe-inspiring landscape forms the backdrop for a tense, atmospheric,slow-building and multi-layered drama. Probably the best snapshot you will ever see of this part of the world; perfectly capturing its breathtaking beauty and the sheer enormity of its space and silence.

From the very beginning, one expects something frightening is about to happen. And it does. As the story unfolds, the viewer is drawn in; invited to 'take sides'; to condemn or sympathise with the protagonists; and to put oneself in their place and ask: 'In such a position, what would I have done?'

As the warring husband and wife,Gabriel Bryne and Laura Linney totally convince. Admittedly, the story has a few holes in it, but only the most severe critic would complain. Altogether a beautifully conceived and constructed movie.

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