Amy

I rented Amy with hesitance after reading that it was an Australian movie, and to be quite honest with you, I am not a huge fan of the movies that are produced in my country. Amy, however, is a brilliant film which does not focus on the typical Australian stereotypes which have previously dominated the majority of Australian movies. Instead, it relies on fantastic acting, dry humour and an intriguing storyline to capture the audience's attention. As I watched, I found myself being drawn into the mystery of Amy, a young girl who became traumatised after watching an incident which is only revealed after her mother experiences flashbacks to the event in the middle of the movie. This particular scene is superbly acted by Rachel Griffiths, and precisely depicts why Amy has withdrawn herself into a world of silence. Amy is a fantastic film which showcases Australian film production at its very finest.

Amy is one of the first Australian movies in a long time to hit a true cord! For those that have hit a hard time and know what it is like to live on the outskirts after having been given a glimpse of the high life, this movie will hit home.

Performances by Rachel Griffiths, Alana De Roma & even Nick Barker are outstanding.

The soundtrack complimnents the film from every angle Nick Barker has outdone himself.

This is a movie that that moves and is capable of making us all feel.

On a side note even those of us that find Ben Mendelson annoying can live with his performance in this film!

I saw this movie at the Heartland Film Festival last year here in Indy, and I though it was probably one of the best movies I saw last year. Even if it wasn't, it was certainly the most original and different I've seen in quite a long time.

It is the story of Amy a young girl who has been mysteriously deaf-mute for several years, for no medical reason. She lives with her protective mother, played by Rachel Griffiths, who tries, with no avail, to understand her daughter's condition.

Most of the plot involves their move to small alley in a downtown Australian town, which is populated with all sorts of different, funny characters. The film goes along with just the right pacing---it doesn't rush or lag, just goes along, much like its characters, who aren't entirely sure of where their lives are going, but go on anyways.

This film blends tragedy, comedy, drama, and fantasy without every confining itself to one genre. It creates its own world, using nothing but a subtle script and incredible acting.

One more comment: I thought that the scene involving the little girl and the little guy, and his drumset had to be one of the cutest scenes I've seen in over a decade.

I liked this movie but I was a bit confused as to what sort of movie it was - I would say it was a pot pourri of type. Was it a drama with quirky little pieces of dark comedy and surrealism thrown in for good measure? One wonders whether the director or producers could not make their minds up as to what type of movie it would be. Perhaps everyone got their way. It might have made more at the box office if it had been a children's story - which it probably is, if you take out the swearwords, and family violence etc. In my opinion, this great cast of actors might have been a little bit let down by the script, which could have built better stories of victory over adversity with each character, and also added a little more surrealism.

This movie certainly showed some dramatic snapshots of some of the lives and situations of people living in Australia. The coppers singing whilst searching for Amy was fantastic. Mendelsohn's 'lyrics of life' were also deep and meaningful.

Alana De Roma's performance as a singer and actor were excellent. Golly, has she got a future!

I would rate this movie as a 6.5 out of 10; well worth watching.

[Was it a touch of irony that one time Melbourne rock legend Bobby Bright played the busker on the street? Why wasn't he singing "Hitch Hiker"?]

I'd have to say I wouldn't like this movie half as much as I do if the little girl, Amy, hadn't been such a wonderful actress. I was just blown away by her singing abilities, as well as her acting abilities. I hope we see more of Alana in the future.