Christine Jeffs: Rain [DVD] [2003]

R2 originaali, ei suomitekstejä.

Rite-of-passage drama centring on an adolescent girl, Janey, on holiday with her mother, father and brother at the family's beach house at Lake Taupo in New Zealand. Janey's parents are on the verge of divorce, and her mother conducts a not-very-secret affair with a local boatman while her father drinks himself into a depressed stupor. This leaves Janey and her little brother Jim to fend for themselves - with tragic consequences.

Product details

• Actors: Alicia Fulford-Wierzbicki, Sarah Peirse, Marton Csokas, Alistair Browning, Aaron Murphy
• Directors: Christine Jeffs
• Writers: Christine Jeffs, Kirsty Gunn
• Producers: John Toon, Judith Trye, Philippa Campbell, Robin Scholes
• Format: PAL
• Language: English
• Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Classification:
• Studio: Cest La Vie
• DVD Release Date: 26 April 2004
• Run Time: 86 minutes

I saw this a couple of times on the big screen, enjoying the intentionally muddy-looking (and yes, brown) visuals. These are reproduced faithfully on the DVD. The director, Christine Jeffs, worked in advertising. This is obvious in some of the delicious slow motion work and the lingering close-ups. There's a lot of slow motion fussiness, in fact. I rather like it.

The film centres on Alicia Fulford-Wierzbicki, who is also required to provide the voiceover. Fortunately, she's completely reliable as an actress, giving a mature and credible performance. Best of all, though, are Alistair Browning and the amazing Sarah Peirse (Heavenly Creatures) as her parents. Great acting.

It's a poetic film. Arty, even. The story upon which the artiness hangs is simple but powerful. I've never been convinced by the 'tragic' climax at the end. The book and the movie would work just as well without it. Up to then, though, and after it, the film is wonderful, with an atmosphere all its own.

See what you think.

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