Blessed (2009/I)

Director:

Ana Kokkinos

Writers:

Andrew Bovell (written by)
Patricia Cornelius (writer)

Release Date:

10 September 2009 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Seven lost children wander the night streets while their mothers await their return home. |

Plot Keywords:

One Word Title

Cast

Deborra-Lee Furness	...	Tanya
Miranda Otto	...	Bianca
Frances O'Connor	...	Rhonda
Harrison Gilbertson	...	Daniel
Sophie Lowe	...	Katrina
Tasma Walton	...	Gail
Ferdinand Hoang	...	Chris
Victoria Haralabidou	...	Gina
Eva Lazzaro	...	Stacey
Costas Kilias
Dennis Kreusler	...	Train Time Announcer (voice)
Monica Maughan	...	Laurel Parker
Reef Ireland	...	Orton
Eamon Farren	...	Roo
Samuel Ross Forbes Wright	...	Joe Franklin (voice)
Wayne Blair	...	James Parker
Kadriye Secgin	...	Couple in Love
Anastasia Baboussouras	...	Trisha
Andrew Lyons	...	Pool player
Kellie Jones	...	Constable Clark
Danielle McAlpine	...	Prostitute
Van Rune Scott	...	Dj
Amanda Gaye McDonald	...	Prostitute
Chanara Hyde	...	Working Girl

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA (2009) | Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Blessed Film Productions

Trivia:

This is the second time Monica Maughan has played Wayne Blair's (adoptive) mother.

Left me with a smile on my face and a tear in my eye

I attended the International Premiere of "Blessed" at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival. Many of my favorite films have come from Australia, so I had high hopes going into "Blessed," and was not disappointed. This is just the kind of film I look for -- a sweet little gem that will make you laugh and cry.

"Blessed" follows five mothers and seven kids -- three boys and four girls -- aged 14-18, as they wander the streets after having run away or been abandoned by their parents. Left to fend for themselves, each teen's plight is poignantly portrayed by a talented young group of Australian actors culled from thousands. Mostly unknowns, I did recognize the terrific Harrison Gilbertson as Daniel, who starred in "Accidents Happen," one of favorites from this year's Tribeca Film Festival. The mothers are appropriately anguished at the apparent loss of their loved ones, not knowing whether or not they'll ever come home. The vulnerable teens fall prey to their own as well as others' desires, and there are enough twists and turns to add additional layers to an already compelling set of stories. "Blessed" left me with a smile on my face and a tear in my eye. It's a superb character-driven study of the bond between mothers and children.