The Dunes

The past will always catch up with you! What a message. A nice slow burn movie and as you get to know the journalist you start to feel for him but things really take a turn. If you want to watch a psychological film then this is the only one you need to watch. Best one I've seen so far this year.

A passion project from long term Australian actor turned director Martin Copping, The Dunes (the other Dune movie from 2021) is a low budget Australian thriller that favours the slow burn, as we follow Copping's LA based journalist Nicholas Rice on a trip back to his small Australian home town, a town that hides secrets both old and new in a potentially deadly scenario.

Backed through extensive Kickstarter campaigns and a dogged determination from Copping who also wrote this feature to coincide with his leading turn and direction, The Dunes is an at times rough around the edges (not to be unexpected from such a production) feature but there's enough going on here to ensure that should you be willing to bypass its raw nature, Copping's dark genre offering is a unique Australian piece that isn't afraid to shock and provide its share of twists and turns.

Shot in and around the picturesque Australian area of the Mornington Peninsula, The Dune's pretty backdrops and seaside surrounds mask the sins and evils that exist in Rice's past and present as he deals with his deteriorating father, past loves and a new contact in the form of Tim Phillipp's keen spear fisherman William Knight, who starts to play an ever growing presence in Rice's life back in his old stomping ground.

Unlikely to appeal to those seeking a white knuckle thriller filled with guns, blood and jump scares, The Dunes much prefers thrills in the forms of the psychological and while at times it may be a frustrating experience in a narrative sense through parts of its early and middle stages, as the puzzle comes together in the final act and you begin to grasp just who is who and why certain things are happening, The Dunes offers some memorable moments and impressively staged payoffs that not many will see coming.

Lacking the killer blow or knockout punch that may've elevated it to the next level, while unable to produce a genuinely noteworthy performance, with Phillipp's leaving the biggest impression as the charismatic but also devious Knight, The Dunes isn't ever quite able to become the film it might've been had more stars aligned but it's an impressive effort from Copping who has shown here that he has what it takes to become a very exciting local talent behind the camera.

Final Say -

At times rough and unrefined, The Dunes remains an impressive independent Australian offering that provides a twisting and turning psychological story that will have you guessing right up until the final moments.

3 packets of Two Minute Noodles out of 5.

Funny how people complain about "terrible acting" when people arent "acting", they re just doing the hardest thing of all...being natural and present before the camera. Guess we get so used to what's actually over acting we dont see the real skill of just being.

You can see the difference as soon as the cops arrive, both terrible, a phoney feeling presence/ " acting a part" This is a solid offering really enjoyed it.

My first EVER review here as I think it's all to easy to criticise another person's art.

However, I felt compelled to here as I'm tired of seeing Australian talent & great foundations for an excellent movie ruined by outdated and overused clichés, such as police attending scene as mentioned. The continuity and flow of the story is also where our movies fail ! Why ? More like a cut & paste scrap book from a primary school student. We're far more capable and able than that.

So, after a promising start and holding of breath, sure enough, we were let down again.

Certainly not due to the acting or rather casting, just the corner cutting & lack of vision & adherence to clichés again letting us down.

Query, does the director & producers watch their work the way we viewers, who the product is made for, do ?? Can they not see the shortcomings of their work, the way we do ?

A shame, as they had all the elements there to make an excellent movie. Dare I say one to rival the US who churn this stuff out like McDonalds does with burgers.

I do thank all the actors & crew involved for their efforts. You deserved a better end result.

The Dunes literally gave me chills. The actor playing William Night was so convincing, every time he came on the screen I was silent. Brilliant performances by all involved and I'd watch again when I have friends over. A good weekend movie.