Film: Little Fish (Australian Heroin Film)

[Banquo]

my bad. added spoiler warning.

 

[Strawberry_lovemuffin]

Absolutely loved it.

Here is the review I wrote in the Aus Social movie thread a few weeks ago:
http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/showthread.php?p=3801493&highlight=Little+Fish#post3801493

This afternoon I saw Little Fish on DVD.

What an extraordinary movie. It stars Cate Blanchett (among other Australian acting icons such as Hugo Weaving) and is the story of Tracey, a 32 year old recovering heroin addict, trying to get her life together.

Set in Sydney's vietnamese district, Tracey runs a video shop, and has been clean for 4 years. She lives with her mum, and still has an good (but complicated) relationship with her former stepdad - a former pro-Rugby player and junkie who got her hooked on heroin to begin with. Hugo Weaving plays this character - one of the most interesting I've ever seen in a film. A sad, broken man, he has turned gay and is desperately addicted to drugs, yet still loves Tracey and her brother like a father.

Obviously, her mum, played by Noni Hazelhurst, is none too happy about the friendship. I never had much of an opinion of Noni Hazelhurst before seeing this movie - as a serious actor that is - but oh my god. She is absolutely dynamite in this. Her heartwretching portrayal of a single mum who is at once tough and scared, is fucking magnificent.

At one point there is a close up of her face when Tracey comes home late - at first her face is set in anger, and then you see her expression slowly crumple... from the eyes first, down to her set mouth, which trembles... and you see that the anger is actually masking an intense saddness and fear, and love. It was all portrayed in one facial expression. Brilliant.

This is a somewhat slow movie at times but the characters are so wonderfully drawn, so skillfully acted, the poignancy creeps up on you and squeezes the breath out of you by the end. By the end I was riveted - tears puddling down my cheeks, feeling every bit of what the characters were going through.

There is some beautiful imagery and cinematography in this, too. Watch out for the scene where Tracey - tempted to have a hit of the heroin she's just scored for her step-dad - stumbles into an RSL club and comes across a school choir singing Cold Chisels' "Flame Trees". One of the most perfect moments I can remember in film.

I highly recommend this masterful piece of Australian cinema. 9/10.

 

[Strawberry_lovemuffin]

I thought the ending was breath-taking.

Oh. My. God. Is all I can say about the ending. One of the most poignant scenes ever filmed, I challenge anyone not to break down.

This is out on DVD in Australia. The extras are fascinating to watch too - the making of the film etc.

 

[L2R]

There is some beautiful imagery and cinematography in this, too. Watch out for the scene where Tracey - tempted to have a hit of the heroin she's just scored for her step-dad - stumbles into an RSL club and comes across a school choir singing Cold Chisels' "Flame Trees". One of the most perfect moments I can remember in film.

i haven't seen this since i saw it in the theatre, and i still have regular flashbacks to that scene.