The Greenhouse

The beautiful Jane Watt proves she is a rising star with an engaging and convincing performance though the story provided her little opportunity to really excel. Interesting. Sometimes confusing flashbacks and weird mumbo-jumbo. The people felt authentic and the story was engaging but it bounced around and was disjointed at times. In general, the production value was good. Pacing was sometimes slow, but as expected for a study of loss and grief. Worthwhile.

The general idea of this film is solid. Find a portal to the past and assess your issues. Not only your grief for your mother, but also the complex relationship you have/had with the literal girl-next-door.

The execution leaves something to be desired though. What are the specific rules for this portal? What are the consequences for staying? How much physicality is wanted/needed in the portal? Did you actually need THREE siblings to be part of the story? Why introduce an inconvenient boyfriend if he's eventually just quietly dismissed?

This feels a little bit like two films inexpertly crammed together. One about complex sibling relationships in a large family and One about the dangers of nostalgia. Each one is reasonably well executed, but put them together and they diminish each other.

There were several things that were done well here with the filming and the performances, but the writing was not one of them. This really just comes across as made for, about, and by people who like emptiness, who even prefer that over anything real or solid or healthy. I suppose it could have been meant as an exploration of that, as a cautionary tale, but I doubt it. I think even among postmodernists who do like that, most will dislike this film for its plodding pacing. I could have overlooked the pacing if it had had any redemption or growth or goodness or wisdom. But as it was, the film was just bad.

I gave this movie 1 hour and I didn't see the point in continuing, I came here to find out what is was about.... the actors are beautiful and the editing is good ...clearly some $$$ was spent but the plot is very very shallow if at-all.

This film is incredibly well made, multi-layered and nuanced, punching well above it's indie limitations. A beautiful and confident feature debut, Thomas Wilson-White the writer/director, explained in a video via AACTA the inspirations behind this film were directly influenced through his own family and personal circumstances. It is very evident, through the careful curation of imagery, character dynamics, symbolism and tone of the film that this is a deeply personal story, filled with a lot of heart.

This is not a happy film and I don't think it ever was meant to be. It explores several human experiences that aren't pleasant; largely the exploration of grief, losing a parent, regrets and internal turmoil. These are presented through the main character Beth, superbly performed by Jane Watt, as we follow her journey throughout the film.

The writing is exquisite, it builds a lived in alternative family unit that effortlessly presents several queer and multiracial characters. The family dynamic brings a lot of joy and warmth; beautifully performed by the ensemble cast, that contrasts the moody undertones and melancholic meditation of the overarching story.

The Greenhouse presents itself as a dramatic character study, but boldly shifts territory, adding several subtle layers of fantasy and sci-fi. It achieves a meaningful pursuit of discovery and reflection, creating a nostalgic yearning for simpler and happier times.