sdonahoo

Streamline is such an impressive and captivating film. Easily the best Australian film I've seen in years. This is a coming of age film about a young swimmer that defies all the cliches of the genre. Levi Miller's performance as Ben is amazing; so much is said with so few words and he never betrays the role. Ben leaps off the screen and my concern for his welfare left me holding my breath for most of the film. Jason Isaacs is Ben's estranged father whose release from prison prompts Ben's world to suddenly overwhelm him. The movie unfolds beautifully, with incredibly natural performances that anchor it firmly among the best Australian films. The photography is brilliantly understated, supporting and never distracting from the story. The sound is similarly masterfully used. Tyson Wade Johnston, the writer and director, is so effortlessly confident that it's almost incredible this is his feature debut. Highly recommended.

What I've loved about this show is it's willingness to go full throttle and embrace its concept. In this final episode all parties have gathered in the town and await the 30 coins being crowned onto the new dark Pope. So much happens in this single episode that we're barely given time to take it all in - from Fr Angel's true face, to the reason the Cainites have spared Vergara and of course further complications for Paco and Elena. While this could serve as a passable series finale, the door is well open for further seasons and I hope to see it return. (If only to further explain some of what we saw in this episode.)

At 115 minutes, there is maybe 15 minutes of entertainment hidden in this mess waiting for a competent editor to work their magic.

Did you like the scene in the Matrix sequel where the architect "explains" the plot with over the top vocabulary? Then you'll enjoy the first hour of this movie where soporific characters discuss opera around an empty dinner table. Nothing else happens in the first hour.

This is a film without any redeeming features.