Hating Alison Ashley

I just attended a special preview of the movie, 'Hating Alison Ashley' and I was interested in seeing the performance of Delta Goodrem. Not reading the book, I am purely basing my comments on the movie I saw. In short, Delta Goodrem's performance is stiff and she doesn't play a very convincing 'Alison Ashley'. Firstly, she is supposed to be a Year 9 student, but she looks way older than the rest of the students. She also physically looks bigger than the rest of the students, making it hard to suspend disbelief that she actually is a troubled Year 9 aged between 14-15 years old. Most Year 9 students are aged between 14-15 years old, so I guess setting the story at Year 12 would have changed the whole narrative. Therefore, the makers of this movie clearly wanted Delta Goodrem at all cost to be in this movie. Apart from these setbacks, it's actually a very entertaining and funny movie. It holds your interest for most part of the film, but it slows down when the students head to camp and prepare for the play. The early high school scenes look very lifelike and give you an impression of just how bad some State schools are. Jean Kittson was superb in her role, as was Craig McLachlan playing the simple minded P.E teacher. Tracey Mann should have put a little bit more effort into her role as the single mother. However, it's Saskia Burmeister that really steals the spotlight with her wonderful performance. She was believable, passionate and understanding of the role of the confused Year 9 student. Delta Goodrem on the other hand was not. Delta came across as rigid and excessive in her role of the girl from the 'right side of the tracks'. Just look out for the scene when she is talking to her mother from the camp's kitchen, she manages to hang the phone, while she is still talking on the phone. I guess she can only learn from her mistakes, but why do we have to see them on a good film like this? On the whole, I enjoyed the film!

I absolutely adore the book written by Robin Klein, so I was very excited when I heard that a movie based on the book was in the making.

But I was severely disappointed with the movie when I did see it because it didn't capture what I loved about the book - the absolutely ridiculously funny Erica and the interesting way in which she views the world.

From the start of the movie, I realised that things weren't the same as I had imagined in the book. So, I just went along for the ride. It wasn't all that bad, I guess. Miss Belmont was totally different to what I had imagined her to be! I didn't think she would be one to smoke and drink - Jean Kittson, who plays her, is hilarious!

On it's own, I thought the movie and it's actors/actresses in it did a good job, but alas, I'm such a fan of the book (one of my all time favourite books) that I couldn't help but feel disappointed =P

Well I heard a lot about this film, "Delta was wooden" and "Saskia was annoying" but after watching the film, I was pleasantly surprised.

Not a classic teen film by any means, but a really enjoyable way to spend your time. It was a refreshing change from the usual teen fare, and it was to nice to see actors who weren't the usual tanned bimbos playing the lead in a film. Giving unknown actors a chance in a low-budget flick that steered away from most of the clichés of the Hollywood teen film.

Saskia Burmeister was nothing short of charming in her role as Erica Yurken. Very talented and lit up the screen with her witty acting of the over-dramatic, kooky teen. Delta was really underrated as the titular character giving an understated performance as the so-called 'perfect' Alison Ashley of Erica's mind. Alex Cappelli was also good as the resident bad boy. It was good to see him in a bigger role as I have only seen him previously as a recurring character in 'Neighbours.' The screen is very nearly stolen by the teachers who are absolutely hilarious.

In conclusion, HAA was a very funny teen flick and should be given a chance. So the next time you are at your local DVD store and you feel like renting out the next Hollywood teen comedy, do yourself a favour - rent this instead!

I recently saw Hating Alison Ashley in the cinema and I was blown away by Delta Goodrem and Saskia Burmeister's performances. First of all I would like to say that is appalling no one supported this film, it was brutally honest, as an individual I can empathise with the character Erica Yurken, mainly because I understand her upbringing and her complex behaviour and then there's the character Alison Ashley who everyone thinks is all perfect and has everything, until you get to know her properly. The author Robin Klein has created many characters that people can relate to especially high school students. It was very well done for Australian standards, haven't seen a good Aussie flick like this since "Looking for Alibrandi" or "Strictly Ballroom".

As for the film, just proof that Australians have potential to tell a good story.

Hating Alison Ashley? Nah, she's alright.

When i walked into the cinema i was worried, very worried. Here i was walking into a film adaptation of a book that i have read literally over 30 times, Klein's classic Hating Alison Ashley. Luckily i had prepared myself. I was prepared for the 11 year old story turned into a 14 year old story played by 19 year-olds. I was prepared for the more than likely over-hyped, overrated and very average performance of Delta Goodrem. And thats exactly what i got. But there was a little ray of sunshine in the true lead actor, Saskia Burmeister. Her and Jean Kittson (absolute legend, brilliant in this film) were the reason that i managed to walk into the cinema in the first place. Seeing Saskia in Wicked Science, The Pact and Thunderstruck, she hit me as someone who had a real talent, and here her talent really shines. She basically single handedly saves this film, every scene with Goodrem is saved by her. Her portrayal of Yuk is so beautifully accurately done, that in the end it really doesn't matter about the changes made from the book to the film. She was the reason i enjoyed this film as much as i did, which is amazing cause i managed to give it a 7/10 which considering the close to butchering of the book and goodrem it could've been a lot worse. Apart from the brilliant burmeister, there are some great little performances as well. Kittson of course is at her usual brilliant best, Craig Mclaughlin was a crack up in the small amount of screen time he was given, and even the beefed up role of Barry Hollis (Anthony Carpanelli) was although different to the book, worked an absolute treat in the film.

So all in all....Delta stick to what your good at..no wait not even that...go away....

Saskia.... get your AFI award speech ready!