It starts with a nice premise - Dan, struggling with depression, is taken on a roadtrip by his old school buddies to a country house filled with beer, pizza and memories. And that's where the nice ends and the cliches begin. Thin plotlines, ignorant characterizations and adolescent drug referencing hinder an otherwise semi-capable cast. Ed is the only thing close to a saving grace; it's a shame for his character and for the actor that he doesn't get the screentime he deserves. Spawned from what seems an unedited and immature script - albeit heartfelt - post-production previews point to a poorly executed straight to DVD bookend. Some celebrity-spotter value for the soapie crowd.
5 Reviews
I... am... amazed.
misrayne2 June 2004
I once was very impartial to Australian cinema, but this has changed my views entirely. The film shows a side of life, and side of people that you don't see everyday. If ever. I must point out that I was very impressed with Matthew Newton's performance as Jefferson. I think that most people saw Matthew as a sensitive role type, and some even thought that it was all he could do. I think that with this film he has shattered all of those stereotypes, and proven that he can play any character that he's put in front of, so to speak. I also think that Matthew and Toby Schmitz did a wonderful job with the story, very creative. I hope this film does well, and I wouldn't be surprised if Matthew Newton took home a few AFI awards.
Independent new talent.
petergktaylor28 February 2006
I have had the opportunity to recently see this film's progress - March 2006.
This is a great film and has enjoyed an amazing journey from what I hear and when it is finally finished in May 2006, I look forward to seeing it with all its 'bells and whistles'. From what I have seen it reminds me of an Australian version of "Trainspotting" for yuppies.
This hard edged and funny film will definitely appeal to the youth market with it's obvious understanding of the youth culture and, 'dare I say it' a "Clockwork Orange" homage to dialogue amongst friends, and fast paced/edgy camera work by an exciting new DOP.
I look forward to seeing Matthew Newton's career develop and can't wait to see how this film fairs at the box office. I suspect it will surprise a few people.
I urge anyone that saw an early version to revisit this film.
This is a great film and has enjoyed an amazing journey from what I hear and when it is finally finished in May 2006, I look forward to seeing it with all its 'bells and whistles'. From what I have seen it reminds me of an Australian version of "Trainspotting" for yuppies.
This hard edged and funny film will definitely appeal to the youth market with it's obvious understanding of the youth culture and, 'dare I say it' a "Clockwork Orange" homage to dialogue amongst friends, and fast paced/edgy camera work by an exciting new DOP.
I look forward to seeing Matthew Newton's career develop and can't wait to see how this film fairs at the box office. I suspect it will surprise a few people.
I urge anyone that saw an early version to revisit this film.
Too much vomit
thedocrieux4 October 2004
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this film as it is floating around Australia like a turd that just won't flush.
One wishes that the main character (did he have a name?) had died when he munched on those pills, that would have at least saved us from sitting through those long-winded dialog scenes (of which there are many).
It is hard to tell the characters apart, Matt Newton is a cross between Leonardo Dicaprio and Michael Pitt, that's no compliment. The other characters aren't that interesting and are very likely homosexuals.
The film looks fantastic, shot on super-16 with some really nice visuals and decent editing (except for the vomit scene and the stupid Gilligans Island cricket scene). It has some really good scenes (mostly with Matt Newton) and I think he has some great potential, as long as he can get it into his head that he isn't Quentin Tarantino. Cut those dialog scenes!
The climax is fantastic, when the vomit guy kills Matt Newton I almost cried...then the movie abruptly ended and I burst into applause (cause it was over).
I give a solid credit (C-)
One wishes that the main character (did he have a name?) had died when he munched on those pills, that would have at least saved us from sitting through those long-winded dialog scenes (of which there are many).
It is hard to tell the characters apart, Matt Newton is a cross between Leonardo Dicaprio and Michael Pitt, that's no compliment. The other characters aren't that interesting and are very likely homosexuals.
The film looks fantastic, shot on super-16 with some really nice visuals and decent editing (except for the vomit scene and the stupid Gilligans Island cricket scene). It has some really good scenes (mostly with Matt Newton) and I think he has some great potential, as long as he can get it into his head that he isn't Quentin Tarantino. Cut those dialog scenes!
The climax is fantastic, when the vomit guy kills Matt Newton I almost cried...then the movie abruptly ended and I burst into applause (cause it was over).
I give a solid credit (C-)
right here right now riveting viewing
mzau5 May 2004
A welcome change to the coming-of-age feel-good movie, R.H.R.N. explores the darker side of the journey to adulthood. It's a compelling moral tale of how self-absorption leads to self-destruction, with extraordinary performances from an amazing ensemble cast.
When a gang of old mates band together to save a suicidal friend, they spirit him away to a beach house to distract him with good times and anarchic fun. But when the fun descends into binges of drugs and booze, their privileged little world spirals horribly out-of-control. It makes for utterly compelling, sometimes difficult viewing as we witness events inexorably unfold to their terrible conclusion. You can't help wondering if this actually happened to someone - it feels so true.
This slice-of-life on the dark side is brilliant and riveting.
A must-see.
When a gang of old mates band together to save a suicidal friend, they spirit him away to a beach house to distract him with good times and anarchic fun. But when the fun descends into binges of drugs and booze, their privileged little world spirals horribly out-of-control. It makes for utterly compelling, sometimes difficult viewing as we witness events inexorably unfold to their terrible conclusion. You can't help wondering if this actually happened to someone - it feels so true.
This slice-of-life on the dark side is brilliant and riveting.
A must-see.
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