Review of film: “BLAME” [ = Report # 07 on the 46th CIFF ]

2010, 09-25:

Review of film: “BLAME”   [ = Report  # 07 on the 46^th  CIFF ]

              REPORT  # 07 on the 2010 46^th CHICAGO INT’L FILM FESTIVAL =     

We’ve seen a bunch of films about VENGEANCE--  but this Australian film gives a new “TWIST” to the genre by providing an unusual “reason” for the vigilante efforts, namely, to avenge a friend’s having committed SUICIDE…

…  A young woman named Alice (SASKIA HAMPELE) is the one who killed herself...

...  Her best friend Cate (KESTIE MORASSI) is distraught that she hadn’t realized the state that Alice had been in, and wants to exact vengeance on the college teacher Bernard (DAMIAN de MONTEMAS) whom she blames for leading-on and depressing Alice…  Her boyfriend Anthony (ASHLEY ZUKERMAN) is very “gung-ho” to go after Damian…

…  Joining the group is Alice’s sister Natalie (SOPHIE LOWE), who often seems strangely “distant” from the situation unfolding of the group’s plans to physically attack Damian & try to “HIDE” what they’d done...

...  Most eager for the effort is Sophie’s boyfriend Nick (SIMON STONE), who’s often very angry and infused with a violent nature…  Another friend John (MARK LEONARD WINTER) goes along for “(im)moral support”, but is hesitant to do anything “ACTIVE” in the group’s plans… 

…  The group’s strategy starts to go AWRY, & as the tension builds, certain “SECRETS” become known which start to raise doubts that BOTHER various of the participants & make them start to “RE-THINK” what they’re doing…

…  How far do they GET in their original intentions?...  What causes things to “un-ravel”?...  Who is the main person whose secrets and lies have MIS-GUIDED the group, & WHY was that secret kept quiet in the first place?...

…  This is an INTRIGUING story, an “unconventional thriller” (as the Festival’s Schedule describes it), & very WELL-ACTED by the principals involved.  Since I enjoyed the overall “construction” of the film, I’d rate it like 7.5 of 10 stars…

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