'Like Minds' : Viewed (twice) at MIFF.
I've only taken the time to comment here at IMDb upon what I think were our 'Best' and 'Worst' of MIFF. 'Screen Partner' and I agreed (will wonders never cease) that this film gets our highest rating (9 out of 10, I always leave room at the top for the future).
"Screen Partner' and I really appreciated the following from this first-feature Director and his collaborators:
Being treated as an intelligent audience : Hooray for a writer that doesn't rely on irritating spurious leads for impact. Yes, there are 'surprises' but we are not lead around by the nose only to have that annoying "tricked you" moment at the denouement.
A new aspect of suspense drama: Indeed, well may one ask the question "What were sociopaths like as young-uns?" Topic for discussion afterward - we like that!
Skillful casting of all the characters, especially the 'lads': Eddie Redmayne will by now have a reputation elsewhere, but he's a real 'find'. Yes, we've seen some of these schoolboy 'types' before, but not one in this group is cast, or directed, as caricature. In the adult corner - Patrick Malahide gives us everything we could desire from his role as the Headmaster. Tension, a mixture of the surface and the guarded, a fine performance. I was less impressed with Toni Collette and Richard Roxburgh, not because of what they were given, but for what they decided to give us. TC seemed, in my eyes, only to succeed in 'being' irritated or lacklustre (I wish she'd learn to underplay/intensify - as opposed to bored/shrill - but then I was one of those who loathed her performance in Japanese Story - so you may well disagree). RR... his performance lacked subtlety, it was all there for him to do use, but he overdid it. The contrast with the really excellent performance given by PM, whose character was under far more pressure than Roxburgh's, illustrates my point. Fortunately for the film's sake, some of those I've spoken with since viewing absolutely disagreed with me in this regard.
Talented 'Eyes' And 'Ears' all round: Cinematography and editing choices excellent, especially so considering that a serious proportion of the available funds were probably absorbed by 'name' actors and locations. Similarly, quirky and absorbing original music and crisp sound editing formed another 'character' in the thick of things, underscoring and emphasizing whilst avoiding overstatement. Great to finally watch 'local' product that considers 'polish' a priority from the get-go.
Commercial: I know, I know, commercial success isn't everything, but we think this one, properly supported could be a very successful 'date movie' - plenty of weirdness, frights, and human scenery for 15+ (it was rated 18+ in Melbourne, don't think it needs it), thought-provoking and engaging for the rest of us. By the way - where is the publicity for 'Like Minds'? We've heard plenty about the less than average current crop of Oz films, e.g. 2:37 etc).
And yes, I saw it twice, a close-to-perfect film for midnight in a Melbourne Winter to finish- off our viewing week!
A hearty welcome to the world of feature films Gregory J Read - we'll be keeping and eye out (four actually) for your future exploits, we know we definitely won't be wasting our time!
