Downriver

If Stephen King wrote a novella set in Australia this would be its love child! However we are not in the state of Maine, but in a river town in Australia. Young James has served his time for allegedly drowning a boy when he was only a child and is being released; the body of the boy however was never found. James, having little memory of what occurred on the day, goes in search of answers and hence back to the river town where the incident occurred. This tense film mystery is at times quite macabre and often brutal, but through it's wonderful lead actor Reef Ireland it also has emotional depth. This is an auspicious feature debut for director Grant Scicluna, who also wrote the screenplay; his sense in creating such a dark and intense mood throughout the film is quite an achievement. Kudos must also be given to Tom Green who plays James' mysterious and troubled childhood friend, and of course the great Kerry Fox who plays James' mother. I saw the film recently at a film festival in Sydney to a packed audience, where it was warmly received. It deserves a much wider audience.

James is returning home after serving time for his involvement in the drowning of a small boy – whose body was never recovered. Once he returns he soon realises that, even though he may have served time, the past has a way of not letting you forget and there are always consequences. So he decides to sort out once and for all what really took place all those years ago when, he too, was just a child.

Now to say anymore would ruin the surprises and there are more than enough here. It is the sort of film where the plot is not that difficult but the telling is all the better for not being so reliant on 'the twists' that have come to dominate so many of the 'thriller' genre. The tension and existential threat are ever present giving this a brooding quality that naturally make you want to keep watching. The acting is all completely convincing and Reef Ireland as James is particularly good as the returning bad boy.

This is from writer and director Grant Scicluna who has made a few shorts including 'The Wilding' which featured in the 'Boys on Film' franchise and was rather good too. For a first full length feature he has demonstrated what a reservoir of talent he has to offer and I can only wait in eager anticipation for his next outing – absolutely recommended.

Wow... impressive film... written and directed by Grant Scicluna.... how is this man not like making huge films in Hollywood by now? I watched this film in 2023, while it is from 2015.... It is a beautiful love story really, eventually. Against the background of a social drama and murder mystery... it shows uff how childhood isn't always this sunny happy go lucky existence. Childhood can be unfair. It can be traumatic and profoundly harmful. Your neighbours aren't always your friends. Worse, they can abuse you and use you to hide their own wrongdoings or shortcomings. But the protagonist, excellently portrayed by Reef Island (why this man isn't a big superstar of an actor already is beyond my comprehension) is strong, resilient and determined to literally get to the bottom of it all... I got angry a lot at the abusive people and I cried and felt a lot for the young guys finding love and support with each other. Superb film.... Class A.

Wow! Admittedly, I do have a preference for art type films with raw (no pun intended) look at life in rural communities throughout the world. This is an excellent example at realism at its finest! Brilliant! Aside from some beneficial edits that would lessen the confusion, the film takes hold instantly. Gripping and honest. Everyone invoved are Superheroes, forget high budget!