Hotel Sorrento

I found it a real task to sit through this film. The sound track was not the best and some of the accents made it difficult to understand what was being said. There was little to move the plot along and often the action simply stopped and there was a prolonged period of conversations which seemed extraneous to the movie. These conversations switched between family groups and the observer was left to try and piece together what the common thread was that tied them together. It is rare that I rate a film this low and do so in this case as the entire viewing experience left me thinking "so what" and "why did I waste my time watching this."

Unlike jjp, I think of this as one of those rare movies that is spectacular without trying to be spectacular. So many Hollywood movies try to slam emotions down our throats, leaving one cold--not this. The entire cast is solid, if not brilliant, especially Joan Plowright.

The storyline may not be the most original around, but it is well thought-out, directed and executed. On the surface it's another "family coming together" flick where one laughs a bit and cries a bit. But it's better done than that. The characters (and dialogue) are real, not filled with contrived eccentricities. They're also enjoyable and enchanting. The setting, a quiet (almost dull) seaside town, works wonderfully (& it's not NYC, LA or Chicago for once.) Without car chases and gun shots, it comes together beautifully.

The 90s seem to have been a real coming of age for the Australian film industry. This film, along with "The Sum of Us", "Muriel's Wedding" and a host of others seem to prove that all Hollywood writers, directors and producers need a working-holiday in Australia.

Ok, sorry to offend any women, but Sorrento Beach is a "chick flick." Still, it is not your garden variety "chick-flick." Sorrento Beach is a long build up that goes nowhere. The previews slated the film as a "secret" that comes out after years of being hidden away by family members. Knowing this, the story builds and builds and builds and finally goes nowhere! In fact, Sorrento Beach is more of a built down than a built up. Once you find out what the secret is, it is a major let down since not even the mystery revealed makes you want to find out how the film ends. Just like in the movie, most people look at a painting for the broad stokes and not these little conversations built on more tiny conversations. Sorrento Beach is just like that, an hour of little stories that questions the audience what is happening. Then, once we enter something of a conflict between the characters, we are lost since the climax of the film never arrives and we are left with a 90 minute resolution. Right when the movie begins, it is already over. All Sorrento Beach leaves its audience are 3 unhappy middle aged women trying to rebuild a family that was always broken.

I bought this film solely because it stars Tara Morice, a fine and underutilized actress. Adapted from a stage production, it has that "play" feel -- leisurely and lovely. This complicated relationship of three sisters is not to be missed.

A beautiful and heartfelt film about the end of an era for a family residing by a distant seaside suburb on the edge of Melbourne. The family, with its connection to Britain and the USA also symbolize how Australia moved from being under England's shadow to the growing domination of the US. There is much talk of Australia's cultural poverty - one character insists this is not the case- and, under the surface, a tale of sisterly betrayal that underlies the idea that by the 90s it was capitalist greed as manifested in the American sister that was undoing many Australians. All this said, the film can be enjoyed for it's autumnal colors, elegiac mood and some wonderful scenes wherein the characters grew into people I felt I knew, with top class acting from all. Just towards the end the script makes the characters mouthpieces for certain views about Australia that are creditable yet do sound like prepared speeches. That aside a thoroughly enjoyable and moving film. The final credits scene, with old footage of the house shown to us while the audio tells us it is about to be sold, is heartbreaking and can be related to by just about anyone who filled a home full of memories then years later returned to find it demolished, replaced by new housing or business developments.