Das Interview

Despite Hollywood being awash with good Aussie actors and directors, generally our industry produces worthless dross.

This film, however, is one of the rare exceptions to that rule.

An "interview" is what police in Australia call an interrogation. This is a movie an excellent psycho drama about the relationship between a policemen and a suspect in one such interview.

The acting is good. And the directing is good. And most importantly, the story is good.

What a pity we haven't seen more from the writer/director team of Craig Monaghan and Gordon Davie.

This is a must-watch Aussie thriller! Hugo Weaving and Tony Martin both have delivered an extraordinary screen performances... The story revolves around an official police interview, Tony Martin (Det St John Steele) is inquiring Hugo Weaving (Fleming) who is an out-of-job-and-broke individual and has lost everything in life including his wife and home! What is the interview about, why is Fleming picked from his home disgracefully by police and put into interview, all has to be seen and known. "The interview" will keep you stick to the chair and unveil the unsaid truths and nature of human beings. A MUST SEE!

If you've ever doubted Hugo Weaving's acting skill - then this is the movie to set you straight. Weaving's performance is spectacular, it's got a gritty, human tangible feel - I saw this on the big screen, but even on TV he still has that emotional realism you can't fault.

If you're a Weaving fan and you haven't seen this - then go and get it right now.

If you're a Matrix fan and you haven't seen this - go and get it now - you'll get to see agent smith on the other side of an interrogation room.

This movie is a non-stop discovery, you'll spend the entire movie questioning the characters, their motives and the truth of the tale unfolding.

I cannot recommend this movie strongly enough, it is an unknown classic.

THE INTERVIEW ( rating, * * * * out of 5 )

Edward Flemming, (Hugo Weaving) is a seemingly everyday guy a little bit down on his luck. In the early hours of the morning, his door is broken down and he is arrested for a crime he apparently knows nothing about.

Detective Sergeant John Steele, (Tony Martin) a cop with a dubious reputation, conducts a series of interviews searching for the truth. As time ticks by, it becomes obvious all is not as it seems. Does Edward have a confession to make? Is he innocent? Or is Steele stepping way over the line?

Writer/director Craig Monahan, with help in the script department by Gordon Davie, construct a tense and absorbing movie which is punctuated by a menacing soundtrack composed and performed by David Hirschfelder.

This is stylish film-making at its best. Lush production values, elegant lighting, the skilful manipulation of slow motion, all combine to take the discerning viewer on a strange and mysterious ride.

Everything about this movie works - fine acting, expert writing and imaginative directing. Craig Monahan moves the story slowly but surely - deft handling of mood and atmosphere.

This film has to be really watched as the usual over-the-top bells and whistles are traded for innuendo and simmering tension. The longer this film went, the more it felt like a return to classic film noir where true movie-making was about absorbing an audience with story and character.

'The Interview' has many surreal qualities due to its intelligent subtleties. However, if these elements are missed, it will undoubtedly fall a little flat.

My only real criticism is that the ending was a little unsatisfying. The movie built up such viewer unease that the finale just fell away almost making the whole exercise pointless. This aside, 'The Interview' is a rare film and should not be missed.

The reality is that this film is not for everyone due to its strict attention demand on the audience. If you're looking for a film where you can slip your brain into neutral then give this one a miss. However, if a sharp thriller where the narrative is driven by deception is your bag, then 'The Interview' will not displease.

What an excellent movie. Do not pass this one by: although it's virtually static (most of it takes place in a police station interview room, and most of what's left occurs in other portions of the same station) it is absolutely riveting. I wonder how many viewers of this movie shared my thoughts immediately afterwards: why in the world don't we see more movies of this calibre?