Review by gr0o0rg

This might be my favourite movie. Watching it is like bedding down with a homemade blanket and staring into a winter's fire. The atmospheric photography, shimmering score and languid pace combine to gently massage the mind and transport you to a dreamy and affecting place. Heidi's story, a girl navigating the emotional terrain of love, friendship and human behaviour is authentic and believable. Heidi may not be very smart but by the end of the film she achieves a measure of wisdom that opens the door to adulthood. The film also has plenty to say about the sex, forgiveness, the bonds that shackle and the bonds that bind. The acting is outstanding, Abbie Cornish gets everything right, she's simply mesmerising and this really is one of the great Aussie performances. A lot of people found this film boring and over-rated so it's definitely not for everyone. Myself, I couldn't ask for more, it's an experience to savour again and again.