Alexandra's Project (2003)

Director:

Rolf de Heer

Writer:

Rolf de Heer (written by)

Release Date:

8 May 2003 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Not everyone loves surprises

Plot:

A regular suburban family man comes home from work on his birthday to find a deserted house and a videotape waiting to be played...

Plot Keywords:

Birthday | Videotape | Revenge | Deserted House | Breast Cancer

Awards:

3 wins & 17 nominations

Cast

Gary Sweet	...	Steve
Helen Buday	...	Alexandra
Bogdan Koca	...	Bill
Samantha Knigge	...	Emma
Jack Christie	...	Sam
Eileen Darley	...	Christine
Geoff Revell	...	Rodney
Philip Spruce	...	Taxi Driver (as Phillip Spruce)
Nathan O'Keefe	...	Man at Door
Peter Green	...	Chairman
Martha Lott	...	Female Worker
Cindy Elliott	...	Female Worker
Gemma Falk	...	Female Worker
Nicole Daniel	...	Female Worker
Duncan Graham	...	Male Worker

Also Known As:

Alexandra's Progress (Australia) (working title)

Runtime:

Australia:103 min | Canada:98 min (Ontario)

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Italy:VM14 (re-rating) (2005) | Italy:VM18 (original rating) (2003) | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | Australia:MA (video rating) | Germany:16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Canada:18A (Ontario) | Finland:K-15 | Mexico:C | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:R18 | Singapore:R(A)

Filming Locations:

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Company:

Vertigo Productions Pty. Ltd.

Trivia:

A number of actresses turned down the leading female role due to the explicit nature of the script.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Alexandra: [talking to the mirror] I'm sorry Steve, I'm truly sorry.
[spits into the mirror]
Alexandra: Don't be sorry. Never be sorry.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Simpsons Movie (2007)

Soundtrack:

Steam Will Rise

Reality or fantasy?

I was disappointed by this film - I had high hopes, because of the cast and director and the subject matter. However, my impression is that of indecision and sensationalism. If this film was meant to be a realistic portrayal of the outcome of the breakdown of a marriage, then I have some complaints. The first half, the set up or background to the main event, was too patchy and wishy-washy. The second half, in contrast, was schlocky and gimmicky. The result is shock (the wrong kind!) and a bad after-taste in the mouth. If this film was meant to portray an unhappy woman's fantasy, then it did not go far enough. A surrealistic spin (something like the style of American Beauty) would have been more appropriate here. In short: good acting, clever twists and visual gimmickry, but patchy and indecisive in style.