I feel a little biased, writing this review. Being a long-time friend of writer, Terrance M. Young, I've had the privilege of watching him grow as a director and writer. Film after film has taught him valuable lessons which he's taken on board with his next projects.
I always go in, not knowing what to expect, but with the knowledge of his prior work. I always find myself surprised with the result. Every time. The quality, the audio, the camera shots and angles, montages and story lines, all seem dramatically improved from his past works. It's wonderful to see.
Other than my connection with Terrance, I knew relatively nothing about the film and again, didn't know what to expect when the lights went down.
500 Miles was brilliant.
It was deep, shockingly raw, heart breaking, heart warming and funny.
Shane's character felt like home. He was someone who I feel like I've known for years and years. I just loved everything about him.
Emily had me frustrated. I had a love:hate relationship with her. I got so frustrated at her stubbornness and refusal to open up. She really was a very very hard egg to crack, and in turn, it made it very hard for me to connect with her until much later in the film. But, as the movie progressed, you find out what DID happen to her, to make her the way she was. What I did like, was that she began to open up and (without giving anything away) she got hurt again, and completely shut off, and returned to the character we saw at the start. Shut off, angry, stubborn and she runs again.
Michelle's character seemed a little 2D. She seemed awkward and had little confidence. Her character could have been far more genuine, and we could have connected with her more. Instead of being a warm, bubbly, friendly country girl, I'm sad to say that I saw her more as bitchy and jealous and I really don't think that that's how she was meant to come across.
I really loved that the movie was filmed in and around Brisbane. The country towns were awesome.
Overall, 500 Miles was a wonderful Australian film.
My husband isn't a move buff AT ALL. He went into the movie not knowing what to expect at all and even he loved it. He said he was on edge for the majority of the movie. He has an annoying habit of predicting exactly what would happen in a movie and then nodding off to sleep. He was really surprised that this movie kept him guessing what would happen the entire way.
Well done, again and again on a wonderful Australian Indie film. Bring on the festivals. I really think that this movie has the potential to go far, and the story is captivating and keeps you on the edge of your seat, unable to guess what would happen next.
