In a remote Western Australian town packs of gang rapists go around harassing and assaulting the local girls while nobody (not even the law) lifts a finger. That is, not until lawyer Asta (Deborah-Lee Furness) comes limping into town on her broken motorcycle. When she discovers what is going on, the fiery counsellor is determined someone will pay.
As the heroine who takes on the town, Furness fits the bill convincingly, while Simone Buchanan is suitably vulnerable as one of the latest victims, Lizzy. Tony Barry is strong as her tormented, scared father, and the support cast do well.
"Shame" is one of those aggravating movies that makes you want to take a straight razor to the 'fun-loving lads' and perform some delicate surgery. In this light it has similarities to "The Accused" (though it has nowhere near the power of that shocking film). Director Steve Jodrell easily generates compassion for the young girls and hatred for the boys, and he has no trouble upsetting and infuriating his audience. Unfortunately he cuts himself off with a poor ending which leaves his viewers hanging. We don't see the perpetrators brought to justice, which leaves our thirst for vengeance unquenched. It's also hard to believe that so many women in the town would chose to ignore the problems. This point, coupled with the ambiguity of some pivotal characters, such as the police sergeant, take away from the picture's effectiveness.
Western Australia is well photographed by Joseph Pickering.
Saturday, July 15, 1995 - Video
As the heroine who takes on the town, Furness fits the bill convincingly, while Simone Buchanan is suitably vulnerable as one of the latest victims, Lizzy. Tony Barry is strong as her tormented, scared father, and the support cast do well.
"Shame" is one of those aggravating movies that makes you want to take a straight razor to the 'fun-loving lads' and perform some delicate surgery. In this light it has similarities to "The Accused" (though it has nowhere near the power of that shocking film). Director Steve Jodrell easily generates compassion for the young girls and hatred for the boys, and he has no trouble upsetting and infuriating his audience. Unfortunately he cuts himself off with a poor ending which leaves his viewers hanging. We don't see the perpetrators brought to justice, which leaves our thirst for vengeance unquenched. It's also hard to believe that so many women in the town would chose to ignore the problems. This point, coupled with the ambiguity of some pivotal characters, such as the police sergeant, take away from the picture's effectiveness.
Western Australia is well photographed by Joseph Pickering.
Saturday, July 15, 1995 - Video