I start this semi-regular look at Australian film and media with a question - is it more detrimental to the Australian film industry for critics to exaggerate the flaws of a poor Australian film or to overpraise a merely adequate film? The critical reaction to “Samson and Delilah” has been nothing short of rapturous, leading to reportedly strong attendances over the opening weekend. But is the film worthy of this admiration?
Director Warwick Thornton should be praised for many things – he has crafted a fine looking film with natural performances about a subject matter that has been overlooked for far too long. It should shame us all that Indigenous disadvantage has not been seen in this detail in a feature film until now. And Thornton largely avoids the sentiment and easy answers which could have steered the film into mawkishness.
But “Samson and Delilah” is painfully, mind-numbingly slow, as if Thornton does not have enough plot to fill out a feature length running time. The story is essentially a short film idea stretched way beyond its narrative limits. Samson has moments of cheeky charm, but it is almost impossible to be endeared by a main character whose every decision puts his love interest in harm. Delilah’s suffering heads towards over the top, particularly in a moment towards the end of the film which, while providing a neat shock, feels like a deux ex machina cheat.
The slow pacing seems to be largely due to Thornton making the new director’s mistake of not trusting that the audience understands what he is trying to say. One or two scenes of Samson with a petrol can to his nose is enough for the audience to get that he is an addict. The lengthy shots of this that pepper the film thereafter becomes indulgent. There is nothing worse than the audience being two steps ahead of the storyteller.
For a first film “Samson and Delilah” certainly shows a promising new talent, but a five star masterpiece it is not. Critics over-praising a moderately successful, small Australian film will only lead to mistrust from audiences, and a suspicion that this surely is not the best that Australian filmmakers can achieve.
I always deduct one star from the score David and Margaret give Aussie films on the assumption that they are being overly sympathetic. I think that local films need to be subject to just as harsh critique as imported fillums. Indeed, maybe we should go harder and deeper (ooh sounds like a porno!) with the local fare when it claims to be about and/or for us. Thanks for the comments on S&D- I suspected it wasn't all that was being said. Looking forward to My Year Without sex- hoping it might make me feel better about my life without sex!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts Robert, and congratulations on being the first commenter. I've seen "My Year Without Sex" so perhaps the next edition will be about it.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on starting the commentary blog Heckler but do we get to know who you are?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, unfortunately if I revealed my identity it would put my job at risk. Suffice to say that I work in film & TV. So I shall remain an enigma, but it's for the best - my commentary can be freer this way.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading more reviews. I've seen "My Year Without Sex" too so would be interested in your opinion. Haven't seen S&D so can't comment on the current blog.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more - S&D was so frustrating. Yes, it looked beautiful but I challenge anyone to wave a camera around in the Australian outback and not make a pretty film. The praise for it has been ridiculous. Saw MYWS last night and thought it was far superior - well developed characters, genuine emotions etc. Let's see how many stars it gets!
ReplyDeleteHe really had it in for poor Delilah, didn't he. I felt the slowness of the movie emphasised the claustraphobic situation these kids were in. I can't say I enjoyed the experience. It was so bleak, I was having to fight not to walk out.
ReplyDeleteThat said, the poverty and living conditions weren't exaggerated and it's not a bad thing to remind middle Australia of them.
Yes Safzoro, I thought that just one of the incidents which happened to Delilah would have been enough. Did the whole cinema jump at the second incident when you saw it? I was certainly shocked, but then a minute or two later felt that it was unnecessary - particularly because it was a random accident, not the product of their downward spiral.
ReplyDeleteNo question at all though that exposing audiences to the appalling state of Indigenous disadvantage is a worthwhile thing.
You raise a good point. The fact the above commenter automatically reduces 1 star from any Australian film reviewed by Margaret and David shows this sort of thing has a detrimental effect on trust. We turn to reviewers for expertise or insight, not to be marketed to.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand it was fantastic to sit in such a packed session for Australian cinema.
Oh and yes I jumped during the above mentioned scene.