South Solitary

Watched this last night (better late than never) with no expectations and was somewhat enamored by what unfolded. Has an authentic Aussie story feel in a number of dimensions. Delivered without excesses.

Is this really the best we can do? Actors did a good job with the material they were given. Cinematography was professional. At the end of the day, without a story what's the point.

This movie seemed to slip under the radar in Australia when it was released, though it is a very fine production. The cast, headed by Miranda and Barry Otto, give good impressions of their characters, though Barry Otto might be accused of over-doing the grumpiness. That type of officious, hyper-critical person was common in the 1930s (and later). The title suggests that the lighthouse is situated on South Solitary Island which lies off the northern NSW coast near Coffs Harbour, an idyllic spot. The setting of the movie is anything but idyllic, the locations being the windswept capes of Victoria, subject to the fierce Roaring Forties. There is no obvious plot; nearly two hours is spent examining the relationships between Meredith and the other members of the lighthouse crew. The long shadow of World War 1 hangs over the characters, all of whom have major personality problems and psychological defects. There is a hiatus between two major incidents which confused me for a time. Perhaps there is a pile of film on the cutting room floor that would have covered the time between Meredith being sprung by Netty and the scene with the launch heading out to sea. We are left to fill in a lot of gaps here and we can only guess at the turmoil that occurred. Viewers will find it difficult to identify with any of the characters. There is no hero though we might have some sympathy for the hardship endured by all people who used to work in such isolated places.

Thank you Shirley Barrett for writing and directing this movie because you have created a masterpiece. I begin to live in 1928 when I watch this movie. I feel I can step into the screen, help Meredith unpack her belongings and set-up my room in that lovely old house, put the kettle on, and walk outside in that bitterly cold air. I wear the scratchy woollen coat that Meredith wears, the hand knitted woollen vest, the skirt, and loose thick stockings bunching up at the ankles. I look at Mr Fleet (the exceptional Marton Csokas) and am drawn to his shy wounded persona, his awkwardness, and his pain. This movie is astonishing because It draws me into the time of these characters (like no other movie can). I have watched this movie about 8 times and I never tire of it. It was in this movie that I first saw Csokas. I couldn't believe how surpub his performance was. I asked, who is this incredible actor? I have since watched him in many movies and his capacity to express vastly different personalities in every role is just stunning. What an observer of human behaviour and non-verbal communicator! The isolation, the cold, the children, the lonely residents, and those who choose to be alone - the depiction is so real and so true, you feel like you are intruding in conversations. The pace is right, and the music so suited to the telling of the story, and so sublime, that I bought the soundtrack too. I wrote this review because there are so many award winning movies that are appalling, ('la la land' comes to mind), yet masterpieces like this one are overlooked. If you enjoy a love story with warm, gentle characters who are very real (imperfect), if you enjoy the thought of isolation and staring at the wind-swept seascape like in a Bronte novel, and if you like to gently explore the personality of someone you find increasingly fascinating - this movie is truly for you.

Dramatic landscape . Good storyline. Great acting especially Miranda and Martin- I found it very enjoyable.. felt compelled To rewatch it.