Disclosure

The limited characters and dependence on back and forth dialogue make this far more like a play than a film, with the corresponding static quality of action as opposed to lively speech. A host of issues are touched on and secrets are revealed, betrayed, bounced around... To what ultimate effect? Ah. That will depend on the viewer. Personally I got irritated at them all and didn't really feel like I ended up anywhere.

Disclosure is a well-acted and thoughtful film that could easily have been a play but does a lot with its single location and miniscule cast and budget. It deals with a single afternoon in which two couples clash in increasingly ugly ways over an accusation made by one of their children against another. The premise itself reminded me quite a bit of 2011's "Carnage", although I actually think it gets better results than Polanski did, and with a much thornier topic.

While it does a detailed and subtle job of equally portraying the realities of the four principle characters, it seems (inevitably, in 2020) to come down on the side of 'believe all unfounded accusations any female makes against any male, no matter how old' and therefore on the side of treating 9 year old children like 50-year old repeat sex offenders. Which I guess is what the glowing reviews mean when they say it's "timely".

The basic struggle at the centre could have been dealt with in less-than feature-length time, and, while it is not dull, or poorly told, it does feel like it drags a little. Having said that, I appreciate what it tries to do and so recommend watching the once, with the above reservations.

The labelling of this film as a thriller may mislead some viewers. It's a psychological drama played out in long shot scenes in a suburban location. It's well written, well shot, well acted and raises very uncomfortable issues around sex abuse. But it's not an action thriller by any means.

A difficult topic or theme covered in this film. Very apt in the portrayal of the network of emotions, and choices of numerous people involved. Great actors and clean, crisp sound and visuals. Highly recommend

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. The acting was strong and it was refreshing to watch something that was not over produced. I don't know if I would class it as a typical thriller but it did have me held in suspense from start to finish. I loved the slow build at the beginning and the bushland setting helped me feel deeply the life of Australians in their bushfire prone environment. The theme of this film is timely. Pedophelia in regards to children's relationships with other children and the complicated relationships between adult friends and that of their children. Many of us know this challenge and this movie hits it head on. People, power with a dash of politics and a whole lot of suspense and emotion makes for a great film.