It seems bleak is the new black for Australian cinema, as Rachel Ward unveils her first feature-length film, Beautiful Kate, in a very encouraging debut.
It's the prodigal-son story, with Ned Kendall (Ben Mendelsohn) returning to his country home, with young fiancée Toni (Maeve Dermody) after a 20-year absence to see his dying father Bruce (Bryan Brown). When his younger sister Sally (nicely played by Rachel Griffiths) has to leave Bruce in his care for a few days, it's time to face old memories and dark demons in their decaying ramshackle home.
Ned is a writer and, as he scratches away in the dark hours, the memories of his deceased twin sister, Kate (Sophie Lowe), and older brother Cliff (Josh McFarlane) start to flood back. Some of Ward's writing is clunky, but the acting and direction is so strong you can feel the heat and stench as it bears down on these spirited youths and ageing elders.
Kate's character is pivotal, and Ward's handling of Lowe and the older Ned, Mendelsohn, shows she's a director with more than promise. The switching between flashbacks and present is very clever.
The story slowly unravels the family's dark secrets and lays the father-son relationship bare. It's a showdown, acting style, between Mendelsohn and Brown. And when it veers into taboo, it's handled with such sensitivity in these actors' fine hands that there is a deep understanding among the discomfort.
Tex Perkins and Murray Paterson create a soundtrack every bit as moody as the setting. Brown gives his most sensitive performance ever as Bruce, and Griffiths is a corner piece and underutilised as sister Sally. Dermody's Toni is important as a catalyst and could have been lively and engaging as a character, but Ward has turned her into annoying caricature — her biggest flaw. Cliff is almost forgotten, but young Ned (Scott O'Donnell) is realistic. He complements the older Ned and Lowe, who give us the great performances this story needs.
In what is turning out to be a classic year for Australian film, Beautiful Kate stands proudly among them. The old themes of isolation and faded glory might be familiar, but this film takes us on an unsettling and moving journey of family and the secrets within. Fortunately, we are in excellent hands with Ben, Bryan and both Rachels at the wheel to guide us through the rough and rewarding terrain.
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