Strange Fits of Passion

"Strange Fits of Passion" is a little-seen Australian movie from the late '90s. It has handling typical of a low-budget, indie movie, ie. Being shot entirely on location, having an obtrusive musical score, obscure narrative. Sometimes these things can be good, because they remind you that the mainstream/Hollywood way of making movies isn't the only way. This is one of those times.

The narrative is so obscure I didn't even realise the movie was about the protagonist, an androgynous woman, trying to lose her virginity. I knew it was about her sexual confusion and pursuit of different sexual relationships, but I didn't realise she'd never done it before.

The movie stars Samuel Johnson, an Australian actor who was all the rage for a short time because of the show he went on to star in, called "Secret Life of Us". He's believable here as a sexually confused poet.

The main character (who is unnamed in the movie) and her relationship travails are contrasted with those of her best friend, a gay guy. There's a twist with him toward the end of the movie which took me by surprise and isn't as impactful as you feel it should be. The movie is so in the main character's head that the others barely register.

I'm also not sure if the main character is really likeable. She's pretty mean at times.

I still liked the movie.

I found the film very confusing. Not for the plot itself, but for the way the main character behaves. She is determinate to lose her virginity, but at the same time is too afraid of the process. This is perhaps because she hasn't done it in a proper time, and finds the thing very difficult. At the same time, she is haunted by the writings she saw on a closet room door, stating that it only takes a prick entry to do the matter. The confusion is turned worse by the way the character wears, a mix of clothes not at all combining. The settings are also a mix of things confusingly sorted, as is the local where she works, a bunch of old books confusedly arranged. In a word, she lives in a mess. A little order is established by the way she relations with the gay characters of the film. In particular, what gives her confidence is her relation with Jimmy (Mitchell Butel) perhaps the most centered character of the film…up to a level. Jimmy believes in love, and tries to give She the same confidence. But in this confused movie, he too will be involved in the general confusion, and surrender. As a whole, I would recommend this flick, but be aware, for maybe you will be lost in all the mess it has.

I saw this at the Noosa Film Festival. Strange Fits of Passion is a quirky, black coming of age comedy drama. It twists and turns and takes you on a trip of self realisation. Michela Noona gives a powerful perfomance as She, who comes to grips with her self absorbtion.

The secondary story line, of her best friend is heart wrenching, yet this film combines humour with 20 something angst. Not one for the over 35 market but anyone between 16 and 35 will love it.