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The Well Starring:Miranda Otto,Pamela Rabe,Paul Chubb&Frank Wilson Directed By:Samantha Lang

The Well is a moody,atmospheric,chilling and riveting drama from Australia.

The Well stars Miranda Otto and Pamela Rabe,Otto I have seen before in True Love And Chaos and Rabe is new to me.Miranda Otto is an exciting and energetic actress who in True Love And Chaos and this film has impressed with two excellent performances.

The story of The Well involves a young,energetic,fun and free spirited girl (Miranda Otto) who comes to work as a maid for an elder,crippled lady (Pamela Rabe) whose life is currently mundane and she is eager to have a close friend.The young maid's exuberance and energy is just what the elder lady needs and the young girl's colourful personality delights her and the two become close friends.The two friends

are all set to travel to Europe together when a freak incident prevents them from doing so.

The Well begins as an arty and melancholy character study which is low key and subtle and excellently done by the two actresses and the director.Later as the two characters are placed in a tenser situation it becomes a mix of a quiet character study and a chilling thriller.Though it becomes a thriller it still maintains it's subdued and artistic style made all the more effective by it's stunning and beautifully drab cinematography.

This is an excellent example of Independent film making as here we have a film which excels in all facets.The acting and characters are credible,interesting and well played.The film's visual style is distinctive and sets the tone brillantly.The Well's story is also orginal,riveting and suspenseful without sparing on character development.

The Australians have done it again with yet another meaningful movie with well developed charcaters,an original story,terrific acting and exciting and different visuals.The Well is one of my favourite films of 1997 and it further cements Australia as a force in low budget movies.

4/5