Next Door to the Velinsky's

I really wasn't expecting to like this film. Australian films are not really my thing but this really did keep me interested from the minute it starts. Some parts are confusing - and you need to think about them but on the whole I was pleasantly surprised. Chloe Traicos is magical playing the alcoholic pole dancing abuse victim. Matt Doran - who many may remember as The Matrix Mouse is also brilliant as the male lead. Good performances all round on the whole. But why I liked the film is that it deals closely with the serious issue of child abuse and abuse victims. Parts are sinister. Parts are absolute look away moments but the strong message is there.

This movie Should go far.,,,,, For a little independent its pretty good. Anyone who has had to deal with a history of abuse will find this film incredibly accurate in the way its characters develop. It's also incredibly disturbing in the secrets that are uncovered and by the end you're sitting there reeling - Whoa was that real? But its a good movie. A solid good movie. Chloe Traicos is stunning in the role of the disturbed drunken Ruby. And Matt Doran is brilliant as James her savior. The film might be confusing at first with the massive jump from children playing to sexy pole dancers in a club but .... hang in there. It all makes sense. Although its one of those movies you do need to watch again as the little twists are so clever you'll need to go back to see what you missed the first time. Strongly recommend.

Small scale Australian drama concerning telemarketer Ruby (co-writer Traicos) abused as a child being shown how to confront her past by former childhood friend James (Doran). Ultra low budget psychological drama is more like a telemovie in scale and production values, but displays plenty of emotional depth as the pair rekindle their affection amid Ruby's ongoing struggle to reconcile her torrid past.

James has his own demons with which to contend, and when she's not lost in a fantasy world talking to invisible friends, Ruby is ruffling feathers at the local business where a kindly Korean businessman has taken her under his wing (much to the chagrin of his niece who views her colleague's behaviour as detrimental to business growth).

Lack of lighting and shadowy cinematography is sometimes an unwelcome distraction and the makeup applied to Traicos is unusual, but technical issues aside, the story is coherent with a watchable, offbeat performance from Traicos.

This is an example of one of those movies with no celebrities in it that is so good you just can't stop watching it. The best performance is most definitely Rudi Yap who plays the sympathetic Korean boss. Matt Doran is also excellent and Chloe Traicos is quite luminescent in the role of the disturbed Ruby. Traicos has a rare exotic beauty that comes across brilliantly on film and her performance is gut wrenchingly real. As is Doran's. Haven't seen either of these in much but I expect we'll be seeing more of both of them soon. On the whole its an all round great film. The film is shot in Australia although it really could be set anywhere. I think its something everyone will enjoy - although enjoy isn't quite the right word for it…… given the subject matter is somewhat disturbing. But a great movie: Great directing, script and performances all round.

Anybody know when this is coming out at the cinemas? I saw it about a year ago and it was a pretty amazing film. Very intriguing storyline that cleverly depicts the long term traumatic effects child abuse and rape can have on a child in adult life. Chloe Traicos is brilliant and gorgeous in the role of the damaged Ruby Taylor. Matt Doran also gives a terrific performance as James the leading male character. And the kids who play the younger versions are also very convincing ( not to mention well cast) There are a lot of twists in this film which makes me want to watch it again but on the whole it is very clever. Beautifully crafted and well worth watching.