The creators of this feature chose to slide down a slippery slope where elements were cherry picked from a well known tragedy (they went to some lengths to reinforce the connection), yet a number of key facts were reimagined so the film could see the light of day. So the disclaimer that any resemblance to real life events was merely coincidence is an outright lie.
What we have is a watchable screenplay that would otherwise serve as a passable exploration of morality, teenage angst, peer pressure, mateship and misogyny.
Had the movie delved more into the police incompetence, failure to arrest perpetrators of gang rape and the real extent to which the victim's reputation was falsified and trashed, therein lies a far more powerful narrative.
And on reflection, the extended surfing sequences go to a film that never quite knew what it wanted to be. It was an opportunity lost to produce something that would have been ahead of its time and warranted more serious reflection.
What we have is a watchable screenplay that would otherwise serve as a passable exploration of morality, teenage angst, peer pressure, mateship and misogyny.
Had the movie delved more into the police incompetence, failure to arrest perpetrators of gang rape and the real extent to which the victim's reputation was falsified and trashed, therein lies a far more powerful narrative.
And on reflection, the extended surfing sequences go to a film that never quite knew what it wanted to be. It was an opportunity lost to produce something that would have been ahead of its time and warranted more serious reflection.