June Again

Probably Noni Hazlehurst's strongest performance ever. She really carried the film. She managed to balance both tender moments, with laugh-out-loud ones, all the while portraying dementia in an authentic, raw manner.

It was impossible not to think of my dear grandmother, who sadly passed from dementia years ago. In fact, June Again will probably draw parallels to The Father in its accurate and effective portrayal of dementia.

Stephen Curry and Claudia Karvan shared excellent chemistry with Noni. I enjoyed a brief appearance from Steve Le Marquand too.

I was engaged with this movie throughout and it really tugged at the heartstrings. June Again truly manages to effortlessly tick many boxes and is distinctively Australian at the same time. It's a beautiful story, that manages a few gentle twists and turns, while wrapping things up nicely.

I'm glad I made the time to sit down and watch this with my Mum. Can't help thinking this is quite the hidden gem and that more people should check it out!

I stumbled across this movie when I flicked on Netflix one night after work and just wanted something on in the background while I caught up on social media. But within moments, the movie had me hooked and I put down the phone and settled in for what turned out to be a great movie! Something a little different from the norm, and probably one of the best Aussie movies I've seen in years, with a top group of iconic Aussie actors, who played very relatable characters. I think I could see a bit of my own family in every one of them. The plot was not glaringly predictable either.

Acting and directing in Australia is in good hands as I can see with this film. The Director avoided the larrikinism that often permeates Australian movies where people find it hard to take serious matters seriously. This larrikinism is often over represented in Australian movies and doesn't always represent the way Australian families and people interact. JJ has created believable characters and directed them very professionally. It was a serious story but fun.

Noni was a brilliant choice and there are few weaknesses in her fine facial expressions and movements and behaviour while afflicted by dementia. Then the transformation- and she shone in that role. We've all seen diminishing intellect in our loved ones.

Stephen's Devon was captivating - he really is a great actor. And Claudia held it all together with a fine balance between optimism, desperation and just dealing with stuff. The supporting cast were well cast. Sure the story was a bit cheesy but the handling of the plot had enough twists to carry it through. I laughed at Devon's backyard with the lawn. Very clever. Only a very good team could do this -,well done.

Who doesn't love Noni Hazelhurst?

Apart from her ex-John Jarratt of course.

She's Australia's favourite mum and the star who literally drives the narrative in "June Again" at the wheel of her dead husbands very cool Gold Valiant Convertible.

This is Kiwi JJ Winlove's major motion picture directorial debut plus he wrote the screenplay...so I can't wait to see what else he'll bring to the big screen in the future.

This movie is all about living and loving again.

Noni's June is in a Nursing Home after a series of strokes left her with dementia.

One fine day she wakes up and is lucid...a state of mind that may only last for a few hours so she takes full advantage and does a runner from the Happy Friday activities at the home to seek out her old life and try to pick up the pieces, but not in an "Average White Band" kind of way.

Only problem is it's five years since she was admitted and a lot has changed in both hers and her offsprings lives.

Her daughter, Ginny, is played by another top flight Aussie actress, Claudia Karvan.

While her son, Devon (which sounds more like cut of deli meat) is "The Castle" star Stephen Curry.

His comic timing is more precise than a Japanese movement watch in every line he delivers effortlessly.

Some other familiar faces flesh out the supporting cast including, the wonderful Darren Gilshenan, last seen on TV's "Harrow", but first came to my attention in the TV comedy "Chandon Pictures" with the award winning Rob Carlton.

So many new movies are dealing beautifully with this insidious disease.

The most famous being "The Father".

"June Again" treats dementia with respect, dignity and humour.

Noni breathes a very real performance into this 99 minute movie that will become an Australian Classic...she truly is superb.

It's a road trip that detours through the threads of the many lives it touches and dementia does touch a lot of lives and delivers a few shocker surprises.

This film will make you laugh, cry and sigh, so it's a winner covering the entertainment fundamentals.

Absolutely loved this movie it was such a beautiful story and each character was captured exceptionally .. though it was tinged with sadness it was also extremely funny and joyous.