The Dressmaker

Such a bizarre story! It honestly left me utterly flummoxed, because it was a very well-regarded in its time, and based on a book that was equally acclaimed. For example, Siskel and Ebert gave the fillm two thumbs-up, but their reviews were very rushed and perfunctory. Therefore I was really left wondering what an audience's take-away was supposed to be.

Obsensibly the story is a coming of age comedy/drama set in civilian World War II Britain. What the plot consists mainly of, however, is an American serviceman's quest for poonanny and a young British girl's determination to thwart him. Or vice versa, depending on where your sympathies lie. The book was written in 1973 and the movie made in 1988, about events in 1945. So obviously the cultural subtext is all over the place. It's anyone's guess as to how well the director aligned his themes with those of the author.

And the ending. How can anyone accept such a conclusion to a narrative? It's not a twist, it's a complete implosion. And all within the last ten minutes of the film. Far, far too much in too little time. Yes, there are a number of good performances to enjoy, but they just weren't enough to save the completely muddled story.

I know a film is powerful when I find myself talking out loud to the characters. This was the case with The Dressmaker. The four main characters: Rita, Margo, Nellie and Jack, each had an intense character to play and did so with great acting. And, the script itself gave them a great vehicle in which to display their considerable skills.

I found myself thinking about something I was taught when writing a filmscript: a main goal of the script is to produce emotion, both in the characters and in the viewers. This film did so in spades. The plot had enough going in it, including the relationships between the main four, to produce intense feelings. Enough so I was compelled to try and tell them what to do or think or say.

The ending was both unexpected and satisfying in a odd way. Having a satisfying ending was a relief after such tension.

If you want to watch a great drama about both familial relationships and their interactions with world events (WWII) don't miss this film.