Tag Archives: A Must See

Comedy, Drama, Musical

Wicked

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Reading Time: 9 minutes

Date watched: November 23, 2024
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2024

Before I launch into this review, I feel I need to provide you with a little bit of context in case you have come here not knowing anything about the film. If you know what Wicked is, please skip ahead. If you are still with me, at a very high level what you need to know is:

    • In 1939 there was a film called “The Wizard of Oz” (if you do not know this fact, I need to have words with you) based on a book
    • In 1995 another book was written with this as the inspiration called “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West”
    • In 2003 a musical adaptation of the book “Wicked” was adapted for Broadway.

Yes, this is a movie musical. I know the trailer doesn’t really allude to this and I hate how they market movie musicals but here we are. What I ask is that you continue to read on, even if you don’t like musicals. That also extends to our friends who haven’t seen the Wizard of Oz or have and aren’t big fans. Maybe you are only here “for the plot”.

Ok we should all be back together now. Let’s begin!

Review

Fellow Ozians,

The movie which I initially didn’t think was needed has turned into the most popular film of 2024!

Yes dear reader, if you have read any of my previous reviews you will know that I am a big musical theatre fan. And while I wouldn’t have called myself the biggest Wicked fan (I would think that honour goes to the friend who initially introduced me to the musical) I have in fact seen four versions of the stage production for a total of 5 times. For those doing the math, the first Melbourne production I saw twice!

Why then would I say I’m not the biggest fan? Well I will admit that I haven’t read the book it was based on as being one of the reasons.

There is however no denying that I love the stage production. So why then was I so hesitant for a movie version? Maybe it was the attachment I have to the Original Broadway recording of which I have listened to endlessly. Or the attachment I recently found I had to the original cast of the first Melbourne production. Probably the biggest factor was that the film was split into two parts, with the first part having a longer run time than the entire stage production! How could they do such a great show justice? And would this end up just like The Hobbit?

So why then did I go see it you may think? The answer: I’m a musical theatre nerd. Of course I was going to see it! And when I found out that Club Broadway were going to do a screening followed by an after party I thought, you know what – If I’m going to see this film, the best environment would be with fellow musical theatre nerds. They would understand. We would bond together however this experience turns out. BEST. DECISION. EVER.

The experience exceeded my expectations is so many ways.

Firstly, in the lead up to the screening (which was opening weekend, a Saturday midday session), I was getting more and more excited from each clip that I started to see on socials. Learning about the live on set singing. Cast interviews. I had a few friends who were sceptical of Ariana Grande in the role of Glinda, but I was personally pretty excited for her inclusion. I then found myself starting to get nervous that I might be building up my expectations. And worse what if the reason why the film is longer is because they have added additional songs, content, and took focus away from one of the best parts of this show – the two female leads Glinda and Elphaba, with unnecessary additions of male roles?

I put those thoughts aside and when the day finally came, a girl who loves comfy pop culture clothing, whose favourite colour is blue, and who was hesitant about this film, found herself walking into the theatre in a poofy pink dress with an accompanying wand. Yes, I went to the cinema dressed as Glinda. Popular style. If you don’t know what that means, click here. The only thing I didn’t nail was a pink flower in my hair.

Did I feel out of place? To begin with yes, but it did not matter because by the time we arrived at the cinema, so many others were also dressed up. A lot more Elphaba’s to Glinda’s, including two that I saw who stepped it up a level and painted their face green. Did I mention it was also a 37°C day? Kudos to your effort. I knew that I was in the place that I belonged.

I now turn my attention to the film. You probably already have an idea about what I am about to say here given the run up.

I absolutely adored it.

I’ve had a few days to sit with it now and I think it is just about perfect. One of the things I find out of place may just be my memories of the sequencing from The Wizard of Oz. But I’m going to trust the filmmakers more than my memory at this time.

It is also probably worth mentioning that whenever I see the stage production, I always cry at some point. I can usually make it to the end of Act One. On an emotional day, it’s the opening number. Sometimes I can hold off until the third song.

I can tell you that the film got me from the opening number. I managed to stifle flowing tears until a little later on in the film. And of course, the final number got me – it was always going to.

If you have never seen the stage production or are not a fan of musicals (or perhaps even The Wizard of Oz)  – firstly, thank you for continuing to read on. I’ll be making references to the stage production quite a bit but one of the things you need to know is that from what I have seen from other audience member reactions and also my own perceptions is that you don’t need to know anything about Wicked going in.

The show itself is already so well written and with the original creators of book and musical involved, the film was in good hands. Taking away the songs, the story is a compelling drama filled of highs and lows. You really become emotionally involved with the characters and can understand their motivations, even if you do not agree with them all of the time.

On screen our lead character is green and the world is set in the Land of Oz which contains magic and talking animals with jobs but you don’t have to look far for parallels to the current state of the world and perhaps even your personal life. The themes of injustice, being an outcast, not alone buy lonely, propaganda, scapegoats I found so powerful. It was something that really hit me directly and so clearly. A new experience I’ve not really had from the stage production before. That is why I think it is going to be/is universally loved. It’s not often to get such a connection like this from a film – musical or not.

To those who may be worried about all the songs, I would say that Wicked isn’t a song heavy film. What I mean by this is that you will get dialogue, and it is also a very funny, so you will have plenty of laughs. If it helps, I would say this musical is more like a ‘The Greatest Showman’ than something like an ‘Into The Woods’.

And to those who know Wicked, as a film I found it to be true to the stage production without being a straight up replication. All the comedy was there (plus some!) and the focus on Glinda and Elphaba was not at all lost. I was really interested going in to see what things they would be able to do on film that can’t be done in a stage production and was surprised at how much the story has been enhanced without changing many of the core components.

That in large part is due to what Jon M. Chu, the director, has done to build the world the story sits in. It is simply remarkable. The word “wow” actually escaped my lips as the opening sequence rolled through the vast field of tulips of Munchkinland. One of my favourite things to do while waiting for the stage production to start is to read all the places on the giant map which holds as a backdrop. This film turned that map into a whole world that I could visualise and though it sounds crazy, I felt like I was actually there.

If you are a fan of the original ‘Wizard of Oz’ film and/or the stage production of ‘Wicked’, there are so many little easter eggs in there for you to find. It will only enhance your viewing without diminishing the experience for the new audience members. Let’s just say the audience I was with lost our minds over something pretty exciting which if you are on social media, you probably already know about.

You might also be wondering about my earlier point that this film, which is part one, is longer than the entire stage production. I found the film to be very well paced and for me, the time simply flew past. I really enjoyed where they choose to finish part one and eagerly await part two – a whole year away! The extended scenes and extension to some of the songs added, made for a richer story and experience that didn’t feel like filler.

I must also acknowledge at this point that this review is becoming just as long as the film! I’m not going to do a scene by scene breakdown or song by song analysis because that isn’t what this space is about. And believe me I could! My intention is to share my experience of the film with you and to help you get an idea if you may like it or not.

Wicked is such a joyful film. It is visually stunning on the big screen. The choreography is both incredible and incredibly shot. The costumes, hair, and makeup magnificent. And such a diverse cast in very way you can think of. Big shout out to having an authentic wheelchair user for the character in a wheelchair too! The more I think on it, I can’t fault it. And judging by the reception and busy cinemas (even into the second week), I think is proof.

And of course I cannot end this review without mentioning the cast. All of whom were spectacular but I really want to focus on two.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Two powerful voices. Two incredible actors. Neither who had done on the role in a stage production before and nailed it. Despite going dressed as Glinda, she is not a character I would be friends with IRL and not someone I identify myself with. But there is something about this role which I love so very much. I would identify with some of Elphaba’s traits, particularly her passion for equality and justice. I think many would agree and is likely the reason so many in the audience I was with, went dressed as her.

I really do hope you take the chance to go see Wicked even if it is not usually your thing. This is an experience that I think you would want to be a part of and the cinema is a great place for that.

As for me, I’ll be back for my second viewing this weekend. The question is, do I paint my face green this time…

Rating:  A Must See

Action, Thriller

Mission: Impossible

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: July 12, 2023
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2023

Review

Now that the new Mission: Impossible film has hit theatres that can only mean one thing – a movie marathon! However, with six films in the back catalogue, it’s increasingly more difficult to watch all the films in a day and then go see the new one, as I previously used to. Nowadays it’s more a one a night kind of deal.

I’m a little hazy on what the first Tom Cruise film I saw was, but it was either Mission: Impossible or A Few Good Men and I’ve been a fan ever since! That is of both star and those films.

So last night I kicked it off by going back all the way to the very beginning.

The first film in the franchise, Mission: Impossible is a joy to watch every single time. For me it’s one of those films that whenever it is on TV and I land on it, I’ll continue to watch from that point on. I’d also love to have the experience to watch it freshly again, as once you have seen it, you’ll never watch it the same way again.

Coming up to 30 years since the film was released, it still stands the test of time. One of the main reasons for this is the storyline. While not an overly complicated plot, it is a classic spy thriller tale which sees an agent being falsely accused as a mole and who uses their skills to clear their name.

There is not a moment in this film that is of waste, it is just constant entertainment from start to end. One of my favourite details are the key scenes shown during the opening titles, which if this is your first watch is an excellent tease happen to notice it.

At the time of release the film got a lot of attention of its stunts and scenes which have now become iconic to cinema history, namely Cruise balancing from the ceiling of a highly secured vault inches off the ground. And I must say, I still get excited all these years later even though I know what is coming next.

The biggest drawcard for these films is of course the action sequences. And right from the go they have been engaging and unique to now being something the franchise has become known to deliver. Each film we look forward to what exciting sequences have been conjured up and the stunt work involved.

Something that was different this time around in my rewatching was the filming locations. Meaning this film is now going to hold an extra special place in my heart after my recent trip overseas. It was only a few weeks ago that I was in Prague, where the first third of the movie takes place. I don’t think I’ve ever really watched this film paying attention to the beautiful locations. However now having been there, I feel a greater connection.

Not even a month and I’m already having nostalgic memories from my vacation!

The same goes for the last third of the film set in London. Having had drinks at The Anchor Pub where the final scene is set, and I recognised it instantly!

If for some reason you haven’t seen any Mission: Impossible film or not seen this one, I will spare you the look of puzzlement and question of “where have you been” and instead urge you to grab a copy or find it on a streaming service and watch it now!

And if it has just been some time since your last viewing, why not do the same before going to see the latest instalment, starting again from where it all begun.

Either way you are guaranteed a good night from the comfort of your couch. That is your mission, if you choose to accept it…

Rating:  A Must See

Horror

Halloween (1978)

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: October 11, 2022
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2022

Review

I’d have to say that Halloween is my favourite horror franchise and its one I do try and include in my annual Halloween viewing.

Last year I was lucky enough to see Halloween at the cinema for the first time which was a real treat. I really do love getting the opportunity seeing my favourite films at the cinema that I wasn’t around to experience for the initial release.

So with the release of Halloween Ends this week, I decided to catch up on the films part of this timeline and why not to start off with the original!

If you are unfamiliar with the franchise, there are now 13 films included that offshoot from each other. It can be difficult to navigate so if you want to learn more, I encourage you to check out the Wikipedia page which goes into more detail. There is also a great diagram showing how all the films connect. The original film however is the best (and only) place to start!

Why Halloween for me? I prefer thriller over gore and if you have read any of my other reviews, you’ll also know that I love a good story. John Carpenter had a really great way of telling a story and building up the tension to a fever pitch. It’s also one of those films where it is more your imagination than what you see, more relying on the suspense to frighten you.

Most of this suspense comes from the film’s score, which is its biggest success. The theme music has also become an instantly recognisable sound in cinema history. Halloween is a little bit of a slow burn and while you are waiting for the inevitable carnage you don’t have much time to relax. It’s like the dial is slowly being increased each minute.

It’s also a nicely shot film and it’s remarkable to learn the shoot was only 17 days. Halloween has a lot of interesting facts, some that are commonly known about and others that perhaps should be. If you are interested in film making and/or a fan of the film, I would suggest checking out the Halloween episode of “The Movies That Made Us” on Netflix.

While the opening sequence is mentioned in that episode and goes into more detail, it’s worth mentioning here. The film opens following Michael as a 6-year-old boy, stalking his sister in their family home before stabbing her to death. The footage is shot from his point of view and most of it is all done using one continuous shot. There are a couple of cuts used due to the length of film the cameras. I really like the way the opening shot was done, it looks great on screen and sets up for what is a great film.

One of my other favourite sequences is the one which has become an iconic shot of this film. It occurs after Laurie finds her friends dead and is sobbing against the doorframe of the hallway. Michael then appears from out of the shadows and into the foreground, ready to attack. It’s the pinnacle moment Michael has been building to, setting up for an action packed finale.

It’s the film that gave Jamie Lee Curtis her big break and introduced the character Michael Myers, a knife carrying, masked stalker, to the world. It’s also known for being a game changer to the genre of horror, and to me, it’s a film that brings me a lot of joy, especially around this spooky time of the year.

Rating:  A Must See

Australian, Drama

Looking for Alibrandi

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Date watched: July 29, 2022
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2022

Review

Warning: This review contains SPOILERS.

A couple of weeks ago I went to see a stage production of Looking for Alibrandi and decided to rewatch the film first, for a bit of a refresher. It was such a pleasure going down this trip of memory lane, one that I haven’t been on for at least a decade.

While I never studied the book for school, I am pretty sure that we did watch the movie. Looking for Alibrandi is the story of three generations of Alibrandi women and was one of the pivotal coming of age movies for my generation. It was the breakout film for Pia Miranda, who stars as Josie (short for Josephine) the 17-year-old whose eyes this film is presented through.

Unsurprisingly most of what has stuck with me from this film are key events that happen with Josie, as that is the character I most related to. She is smart and funny, which is what I aspired to and think I ended up with a very similar sarcastic sense of humour.

I remember very clearly John’s suicide and I think that this may have been the first film that exposed me to that topic. I still struggle to connect with why Josie rips apart what turns out to be his suicide note.

Oddly I had no memory of Kick Gurry being in this film! I remember both he and Pia Miranda being in Garage Days together but not sure why I had forgotten him in this film (sorry Kick!).

Back when this was first released, I was more a fan or at least related to the crush which Josie has on John, rather than the character of Jacob. I find that a bit weird now, as Jacob is a great character, with his own complexities. Watching it now, I really love his school captain speech.

Additionally, when I found myself rewatching the film this time around, I am now the same age as Josie’s mum; Christina (ironic, huh?). I found it really interesting that one of the quotes which really stood out this time around came from Christina. While having a disagreement with her mother and in response to Katia saying she is old and tired of fighting, Christina says:

“And I’m a young woman, I’m tired of being old.”

It’s not that I have a personal connection with that quote to my life, but it just gave me more of an appreciation of the character of Christina that I never really thought about when I was a teenager myself. The sacrifices she had to make, the difficult family life she has and continued strain on her relationship with her mother. She had to grow up very quickly without any support. Now she just wants her daughter to have a better life than she did and has to struggle with Josie having a relationship with her father after it being just the two of them for so long. It’s a lot to take.

I feel that I had a better appreciation that every character is doing it tough in some shape or manner. Just because from the outside someone’s life seems better than yours, you can’t tell what challenges they might be battling.

The film tackles many subjects from the final year of high school (which at the time, feels like the most important year of your life), multi-generational family relationships, the father-daughter relationship, tradition and heritage, and expectations. It also explores growing up with a different heritage through the Australian lens.

While being a moving and complex story, it’s also incredibly funny. A film that produces so many great lines. I especially love the nonna’s spy ring scene! It’s a fantastic cast which brings all these characters to life and the soundtrack that accompanies is a perfect reflection of who Josie is with a balance between traditional Italian and Australian modern music.

While I could go on and on, this isn’t a school essay, and we need to wrap things up.

I very much enjoyed revisiting this film. I found it to be a beautifully told story that many different nationalities will be able to relate to, not just Italians. For so many reasons, it continues to be a relevant story, which if you haven’t seen, you simply must!

Rating:  A Must See

Action, Sci-Fi

Jurassic Park

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

Date watched: June 8, 2022
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2022

Review

In the week leading up to the release of Jurassic World Dominion, I still hadn’t seen the second Jurassic World film. You can see where this is heading right? If I was going to watch the second film, I may as well start with the first Jurassic World.

Furthermore, if I was going to re-watch the Jurassic World series, how could I pass up the opportunity to start where it all began. And if I was going to do that, I may as well re-watch them all right?

Thus Jurassic Park week commenced!

I felt that one a night was an even distribution and it really was a fun week. I think I’m going to have to read Michael Crichton’s books, which the first two films are based on. Partly because it’s well overdue and partly because I’m a little sad Jurassic Park week is over.

As I had mentioned, I kicked off the week back to where it all began in 1993. I was concerned to discover that outside of your “mainstream” dinosaurs I have not retained my knowledge of different species. Lyrics to songs from the 80s and 90s are still in there but I don’t know where the dino facts disappeared to. What I do remember is doing a project in primary school on the Rhamphorhynchus. Unclear is if we were assigned an animal or got to choose. I’m guessing it was assigned.

But I digress…

I still a youngling when Jurassic Park was released in cinemas but I do have memories of watching it on VHS and not being able to watch the scenes where the cow is lowered into the velociraptor enclosure and (spoiler alert) where the T-Rex eats the lawyer off the toilet. Perhaps more traumatic for a time was when my cousins pinned me down and forced my eyes open to watch that latter scene. There’s some character building for you – thanks guys!

Nowadays I can watch the whole film without hiding behind the couch and enjoy the build up of suspense and how much is left up to the imagination. Nothing that happens on screen is as bad as I had pictured what might be happening in my mind. A really good use in the Jurassic Park franchise is hearing the dinosaurs before you seen them. There might be a vocal call from an animal or rustling from shrubbery and that’s when your heart rates starts to elevate. How can one forget the iconic imagery of the water ripples as Rexy (as she is affectionately known by fans) approaches.

Speaking of Rexy, I think a lot of people are most excited for a tyrannosaurus to be featured in the film. With lots of teeth and its sheer size, Rexy is a predator to be feared. However Jurassic Park takes it up a notch an introduces us to the velociraptor, who maybe not in size but is the bigger threat. After all, the whole reason for the events that take place at the park is for an inspection following the death of a worker from a velociraptor. The kitchen scene with the raptors stalking Lex and Tim is exhilarating. All of this taking nothing away from Rexy, who is still terrifying and had an important part of this story.

In regards to favourite characters, of the human variety, I’d have to say the honours go to Dr. Ellie Sattler; portrayed by the wonderful Laura Dern. Ellie is such a well-rounded character for an action film, especially in the early 90s. She is kind, compassionate, smart. not to mention she helps to save the day. I lover her enthusiasm and spirit. She also has one of my favourite lines from the film:

Dr. Ian Malcom: God creates dinosaurs, God destroys dinosaurs. God creates man, man destroys God. Man creates dinosaurs.
Dr. Ellie Sattler: Dinosaurs eat man. Woman inherits the earth.

Thinking on it I’d have to say one of my favourite things about Jurassic Park is that most of the main characters do their part to save the day. There really isn’t much deadwood.

As this review is starting to get a bit long now, I’ll wrap up with a quick note about transforming novel to film. While I haven’t read the book I can certainly appreciate some of the techniques used to do so. Storytelling in novel form provides a lot of background information which is important to the plot but this can be rather boring to translate into a film medium. The use of the character “Mr. D.N.A” is a brilliant way to get a lot of information across in a quick and entertaining way.

Jurassic Park is a modern classic and if you are going to watch any films in the franchise, let it be this one.

Rating:  A Must See

Documentary

Ithaka

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Trailer

Date watched: May 15, 2022
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2022

Review

Safe thing to say that probably everybody has an opinion about Julian Assange. Like a lot of people I have been following Julian’s story over the years. For me I keep up with the basics when something pops up in the news or on socials. I’m passionate about freedom of the press and this story that has been evolving much of my adult life. So when I saw the trailer, it hooked my interest immediately.

Ithaka is a documentary which focuses on the time period of Assange’s arrest in 2019 to the outcome of his extradition hearing. The viewpoint is from his father, John Shipton, who has become an advocate for his son’s freedom. This more so John’s story on how and why he is doing what is and shows the impact it has had on him. Written and directed by Ben Lawrence and produced by Julian’s bother Gabriel Shipton, it’s a really well made documentary.

The soundtrack is an original score provided by Brian Eno and beautifully delivers emotional keys at all the right moments. When the credits rolled and I saw Brian Eno’s name, it all made sense!

One of the things that I found striking was how much Julian and his father John seem to share common traits, which when I say out loud sounds kind of silly given that they are father and son after all. I guess when you don’t know either person in that situation personally, to have that observation feels like there is some weight against it. Particularly when Julian’s finance (Stella Moris) makes a similar remark in the documentary. Perhaps it gives one some insight into how Julian might be coping by the way that his father processes and manages things in his life.

While this documentary is important to provide a voice for Julian (who can no longer speak for himself) and why his freedom is imperative to freedom of the press, it does a great job to balance Julian as a human being and the impact that this case is having on his family. It’s easy to wrap up Julian into some kind of martyr but behind that is a man dealing with the weight of being relentless pursued by powerful governments, who is currently in solitary confinement for majority of his time in a maximum security prison facing a “worse than death” fate. Around him is a family with two sons growing up without a parent and an elderly parent trying to hold it together to get his son “out of the shit”.

Ithaka has given me a greater appreciation for Julian, his family, legal team, and all the supporters out there who battle this beast on a daily basis. There are so many people and organisations behind this cause, some who face consequences by providing their support. I continue to be outraged by the injustice and if one little thing I can do is to make you aware of this documentary, that’s what I will do.

This documentary will present you with a lot of facts and footage, some that will take your breath away, all of it important. While the struggles of the individuals are important to acknowledge, so is the cause.

“If he goes down, so will journalism” – John Shipton

Rating:  A Must See

Australian, Western

The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

Date watched: May 1, 2022
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2022

Review

A couple of weeks ago I went to a Meet the Filmmaker night to see Leah Purcell’s highly anticipated film ‘The Drover’s Wife’. It’s been a long time in the making with the trailer initially dropping last year. The session was followed by a Q&A with Purcell herself and I find her to be such an impressive woman.

The Drover’s Wife is a re-telling of Henry Lawson’s short story of the same name, taking it from a romanticised view of 1890s Australia into a more truthful representation of the times. Purcell has quite a history with this story which she first evolved into a play and then a novel. During the Q&A session Purcell also spoke about her close personal connection to the text by bringing along her copy of the short story that her mother used to read to her when she was a child.

This film is the next chapter in the telling of this story which brings opportunities to explore some of the other characters in further depth. It’s also the first Australian film to be written, directed, and stared by an Indigenous woman.

What stands out for me is the beautiful use of country, filmed in and around the Snowy Mountains area of New South Wales, the viewer is easily settled into the 1890s where the vast distance of the land adds to the feeling of isolation. I had that feeling when I went to visit the Port Arthur historic site many years ago, both during the day and night. The sense of isolation in this film is a different one as it isn’t a story of a convict site but the film has this ability to draw on you in emotionally and that feeling I had come rushing back to me.

There is also a lot of use of time-lapse footage across the film which adds a visually striking element. The opening scene begins with this beautiful mist covering the land and to hear the back story post film really added to the magic. Purcell explained that they had time-lapse cameras set up and not only got this shot by pure luck, that this was the mist that the Indigenous people of the time would have used as a sign that winter was approaching and it was time to head north. To her it made it feel like she had permission to tell this story and even created a script change to add a reference to this fact.

Leah Purcell’s performance in the film is both emotionally evoking and strong, in her words it has also been a rather physical role to play. There are many layers to the character Molly Johnson which are built over the course of the story and the performance how she holds herself with all that she has to contend with will have you connected to the character in a way you don’t realise as the final scenes play out.

It was also a terrific supporting cast and I liked the introduction of the character Yadaka played by Rob Collins. The scenes between Purcell and Collins are wonderful to watch, they match up really well together. Each command presence without stealing the scene from each other.

The Drover’s Wife is a beautiful piece of story telling, great acting, and visually stunning. There are some confronting scenes and some emotional ones. The film does leave room for unanswered/unexplored areas and this has been done on purpose. It gives the viewer the opportunity to flesh out some of this world for themselves as well as a creative opportunity given a limited series is also in the works!

Whether this makes it into the classics of Australian cinema, time will tell but I think it would sit nicely as part of school curriculum, perhaps alongside the original short story. I didn’t have the opportunity to study the short story at school myself, there were a few at the Q&A who had. Purcell mentioned that some schools in NSW have started to introduce it again and I think this film would bring a nice balance in that regard.

For this reason I’m calling this a must see. I believe that consuming art by women and women of colour provides a perspective that has not often been reflected on screen and I for one think there should be more of it!

I’ll leave you with a final thought from the Q&A where Leah Purcell talked so passionately about this character and the legend she wants to bring to life: “Let’s knock Ned Kelly off his pedestal and put Molly Johnson there”.

Rating:  A Must See