I lived in Lismore when this film came out and each week the local picture show had 'art' films on a Sunday arvo through night. Being arbitrarily schooled in film, to some extent, by a few of the local hippies I was not averse to 'art' films but for some reason this film came across as more arty-farty than most (reviews, AFI awards, Faustian premise) whilst the overtly religious hooded lady with the cross promotional posters also bode ill. So I stayed away. In 2001 Lantana was released and although the Dickensian coincidences are a tad over the top it still rates as one of my favourite films. But I still had an aversion to Ray Lawrence's first 'arty' film. I'm also eagerly awaiting Jindabyne not least because I think the Australian high country lends a different and preferable filming perspective than the one-dimensional Opera House/Harbour Bridge 'Tourism promo while we're at it' feel of a lot of bad Aussie films. But to the nub. The local video shop had a rare sale and I picked up the double-disc Director's Cut for $8. What a revelation! On this post there are stories of people walking out on this film when first released. I can't believe that. They must have walked out from places where independent films are screened so what did they expect? I loved this film. Sure, it's heavy handed in parts but it's completely and utterly not what I expected.
