500 Miles

This is a well written, directed and produced Aussie film worthy of accolades. The story, written by Jennifer Coghlan and Terrance M. Young, take us on an inspiring journey of a troubled teenage girl living in today's modern and somewhat confusing times, which then takes a turn in her life for the better. We empathize with her whilst she takes to road to self discovery, along the way she meets people who each have their effect on her emotional growth. I highly recommend this film. On the technical aspects, it was very well produced - superb and natural acting by Ebony Nave as Emily and Pete Valley as Shane, carry the story of two souls from worlds apart as they intersect. Supported by beautiful cinematography by Patrick L. Coe and Matthew E. Taylor, this film is as visually beautiful as the story is.

Congratulations to the entire cast and crew! I attended the Melbourne Screening last night and have to say that 500 Miles would have to be one of the best Independent Films I have seen in a long time. Captivating Story, Brilliant Acting and all round great film making.

I honestly walked out of the cinema without being able to fault it and I am sure this was due to being so drawn into the story and the characters.

If you haven't seen 500 Miles yet then I urge you to attend a screening or purchase a copy. It is a film that almost anyone can relate to in one way or another.

I look forward to seeing more great Australian films like this in the future 10/10.

I feel a little biased, writing this review. Being a long-time friend of writer, Terrance M. Young, I've had the privilege of watching him grow as a director and writer. Film after film has taught him valuable lessons which he's taken on board with his next projects.

I always go in, not knowing what to expect, but with the knowledge of his prior work. I always find myself surprised with the result. Every time. The quality, the audio, the camera shots and angles, montages and story lines, all seem dramatically improved from his past works. It's wonderful to see.

Other than my connection with Terrance, I knew relatively nothing about the film and again, didn't know what to expect when the lights went down.

500 Miles was brilliant.

It was deep, shockingly raw, heart breaking, heart warming and funny.

Shane's character felt like home. He was someone who I feel like I've known for years and years. I just loved everything about him.

Emily had me frustrated. I had a love:hate relationship with her. I got so frustrated at her stubbornness and refusal to open up. She really was a very very hard egg to crack, and in turn, it made it very hard for me to connect with her until much later in the film. But, as the movie progressed, you find out what DID happen to her, to make her the way she was. What I did like, was that she began to open up and (without giving anything away) she got hurt again, and completely shut off, and returned to the character we saw at the start. Shut off, angry, stubborn and she runs again.

Michelle's character seemed a little 2D. She seemed awkward and had little confidence. Her character could have been far more genuine, and we could have connected with her more. Instead of being a warm, bubbly, friendly country girl, I'm sad to say that I saw her more as bitchy and jealous and I really don't think that that's how she was meant to come across.

I really loved that the movie was filmed in and around Brisbane. The country towns were awesome.

Overall, 500 Miles was a wonderful Australian film.

My husband isn't a move buff AT ALL. He went into the movie not knowing what to expect at all and even he loved it. He said he was on edge for the majority of the movie. He has an annoying habit of predicting exactly what would happen in a movie and then nodding off to sleep. He was really surprised that this movie kept him guessing what would happen the entire way.

Well done, again and again on a wonderful Australian Indie film. Bring on the festivals. I really think that this movie has the potential to go far, and the story is captivating and keeps you on the edge of your seat, unable to guess what would happen next.

500 Miles is a small independent film with a large dose of raw emotion. Up-and-coming actors Ebony Nave and Pete Valley bring the central characters of Emily and Shane to life through solid performances.

Emily's anger has been leading her down a dark path. She's experimenting with drugs, finding herself on the wrong side of the law, and eventually she is kicked out of high school.

Rather than return home to the foster family she's disappointed, Emily instead steals a car and hits the open road. As luck would have it, she breaks down near a small country town, where the kindly Shane takes pity on her. In Emily he sees a younger version of himself—he too has faced his fair share of challenges.

In this small town the people are genuine and friendly, piercing the emotional armour Emily has worn since the tragic events of her youth lead her down the wrong path. As her hardened façade begins to dissolve through the kindness of strangers, she finds herself exposed and has to choose between the anger she's held for years and the vulnerability that comes with letting people in once more.

The film has its flaws, but there are also many strong signs that point towards the emerging talent of the filmmakers. The cinematography richly captures the Queensland countryside, and the film deals with topics that are familiar for many, yet ignored by bigger productions.

It is refreshing to see an honest telling of how overwhelming and unforgiving grief can be when it's thrust upon you at a young age. No doubt it will resonate with many young people similarly afflicted.

In an age of high gloss teenage dramas, it's nice to find a film that is willing to tackle the challenges of broken youth, and to ponder the ability for kindness to turn a person's life around.

500 Miles is an emotional Australian drama that captures the essence of what it feels like to be truly lost, and found again. The two lead characters created some beautiful moments in this film, and their emotions were often portrayed with just a look or a pause. As Emily and Shane's back stories slowly unfold, these moments became more profound as the film went on and there were a few lines spoken by the characters at the half way point that revealed their thoughts on life that took you outside of the plot, and into your own self as a human, and these were some of my favourite moments. The lead actors really embodied their characters without too many words, right from the moment they were first seen on screen.