Cut Snake (2014)

An ex-convict is trying to make a new life for himself in a new city. But his new life is challenged when his foreboding and charismatic former cell mate arrives in town.

Director:

Tony Ayres

Writer:

Blake Ayshford (screenplay)

Stars:

Sullivan Stapleton, Alex Russell, Jessica De Gouw

12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sullivan Stapleton	...	Pommie
Alex Russell	...	Sparra Farrell
Jessica De Gouw	...	Paula
Megan Holloway	...	Yvonne
Kerry Walker	...	Mrs. Farrell
Robert Morgan	...	Duck
Paul Moder	...	Carl
Jim Russell	...	Neil
Catherine Larcey	...	May
Richard Anastasios	...	Wayne
Graham Jahne	...	Len
Syd Brisbane	...	Ben
Luke Elliot	...	Bruce
Brett Swain	...	Boss
Jack Daye	...	Nightclub Drag Artist

Storyline

Set in Melbourne in the mid-1970s, Cut Snake tells the story of Sparra Farrell (Alex Russell), an ex-convict who is trying to make a new life for himself in a new city. He has found honest work and even becomes engaged but the prospect of this new life is challenged when his foreboding and charismatic cell mate Pommie (Sullivan Stapleton) tracks him down upon his own release. Sparra finds himself enigmatically drawn back toward a world and a man that he was certain he had wanted to leave behind.

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Plot Keywords:

ex convict | drag queen | gay club | male male kiss | gay kiss | 

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Taglines:

You can hide from your past, but you can never escape it.

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Genres:

Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, sexuality and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kesik Yilan

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,625

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,625

Company Credits

Production Co:

Matchbox Pictures, Retro Active Films, Tycho Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's title refers to the Australian term for "mad as a meat axe" or "crazy/passionate," reflecting what happens when you cut the head off a snake.

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Soundtracks

For the Love of My Man
Written by Pepe Luis Soto (as J.L. Soto)
Performed by Henry Wagons and Cornel Wilczek,

User Reviews

Lacking Bite!

Cut Snake, an Australian production, tells a good 'yarn'. Unfortunately, that's the only good thing about this movie.

Cut Snake is the story of 2 ex-offenders, "Pommie" (Sullivan Stapleton) and "Sparra" (Alex Russell), who have a bond, which seems to be fulfilled negatively through violence. After Pommie is released from prison, he's keen to re-unite with Sparra. However, Sparra has put the past behind him and is keen to get on with his life with his fiancée, Paula (Jessica De Gouw), his employment, and other goals. This doesn't fit with Pommie's plans and he goes about luring Sparra to a life of crime to enable him to bond again with Sparra.

From the outset this film lacked believability. The audience were left to work out what era it was set in by the fashion and cars. The acting quality was inconsistent and some of the film was incongruous. The ending is predictable in an unnecessarily negative way.

The film I saw was a preview with general release scheduled in 3 months. Some in the audience around me were sighing and shifting about in their seats restlessly as the movie progressed.

There has been some suggestion that this film is comparable to the highly acclaimed Animal Kingdom. It isn't! It doesn't have the suspense or sense of menace and the acting in Animal Kingdom is far superior.