Soft Fruit

An exceedingly human film of humor, love and life. I saw it for the first time today and want to see it again right now. I usually like Australian film, when it's not melodramatic, and this film is admirable that it doesn't sink to the horrible depths other films might - given the subject matter - to grab you with it's realism. Another user commented that it was good to see the women in this film that weren't wafer thin, and I would have to agree wholeheartedly! It's a refreshing departure, given the typical Hollywood fare. As is this film, I would recommend it without hesitation!

I saw Soft Fruit today and am still thrilled. The performances from the cast are wonderful, Jeanie Drynan in particular. The casting is amazing - these people actually ARE a family. Its touchingly sad and yet very very funny. One of the best Aussie films, in years. These people don't parade their Australianness like so many other local films do. Great script, great cast! Beats the pants off any thing else around!

This films captures the all-encompassing breadth of family life from love to brutality, and displays it in a no-punches way that touches the heart strings. As the four children return to share their dying mother's last weeks we see the old family conflicts, rivalries and tensions flare, as each struggles to gain a special relationship with their dying mother, played whimsically by Jeanie Drynan. The bad language may upset some prudes, but is all in the spirit of the movie. Russell Dykstra's winning perfomance as ex-con biker son Bo is one of the best I've seen for years. Sacher Horler is proving to be a major Australian talent. How nice to see a selection of females that aren't wafer thin!!

I saw this movie in Turin Film-festival last November, and I hope it's coming soon on "regular" screens. I was emotionally moved because story and cast remembered me the true story of a friend of mine, whose mom died a few times ago. The plot escape from gender clichés and the characters are round and well performed. Andreef shows her skillness in directing, learned collaborating with Jane Campion for several times. But she also shows how far their views can be distant, moreover if you compare this movie to Campion's last one.

The performances are fabulous, but what really makes this movie special is the care which has been taken to build a symphony of metaphor in the relationships in this family. Clearly done from a woman's point of view (the men can't cope, and all that's needed is for the father to reunite with the son), this piece still goes beyond the usual chick-flick tear-jerker to keep you involved with fascinating metaphors and unlikely characters which nonetheless tell the truth. I am appalled that it has yet to receive distribution.