The Finder

A strong Aussie indie thriller that gives you a buzz spotting all the local landmarks around Sydney. For non Aussies, it's just great scenery. Strong feminine lead but the movie stands out as a platform for Simon Westaway to strut his stuff as a PI, taking on a case he really isn't too excited about. Interesting performance (albeit brief) from Paul Mercurio (Strictly Ballroom) in a baddie role. Look out as well for Rowena Wallace and yesterday's hero, Dieter Brummer (Home & Away). The soundtrack is strong, featuring Kevin Johhnson (for all those who can remember the 60/70's!! Another film from noted Sydney producer, Phil Avalon who among other things, introduced Mel Gibson to the silver screen a long time ago. Well planned, plotted and executed..and worth tracking down (excuse the pun!)

The story opens with an ex cop (Simon Westaway) on the balcony of a surf club wondering what to do with his life. As the story unfolds Westaway we learn that he left the force under duress and is having troubles with his girlfriend. With nothing else on offer Westaway decides to set up shop as a FINDER with his office a deck chair on the balcony of the local surf club. When a distressed father turns up to report his daughter has been kidnapped, Westaway is hired to find her. He gets a lead which sees him lured into the underbelly of Sydneys crime world. The story moves along at pace, the performances are top notch and the music by the legendary Kevin Johnson is sensational. I enjoyed this movie and can recommend it.

I'm not typically a fan of gun toting slop to make the action...and it's minimal here, because there's enough content not to lean on it. Sure it's low budget and some scenes implausible or not perfectly strewn together, and a bit 'John Wayne-ish of the Outback' formula, but it's a professional film done with effort beginning to end in that quirky Aussie 'rawt mate' way without superfluous flair. And the motive of the crime is nuanced, and itself an interesting dynamic that it has a few moral & ethical messages that so many blockbuster 'shoot em up' movies typically lack.