Only the Brave

"Only the Brave" follows two girls as they complete a "rite of passage", Australian style. Like Romper Stomper, the movie takes place in the suburbs of Melbourne. However, where Hando and Davey fought to try to preserve their surroundings and keep them like they are, these girls see their surroundings as a wasteland, with no future whatsoever. If anything, the girls want to destroy their surroundings.

The two girls have had horrible family experiences and desperatly want some kind of security and although they seek to find it, it is not out there. They burn inside to lash out at a society that they see as cold and uncaring. However, their impression of society is somewhat distorted from the reality that is really out there.

The film is very dark and bleak. Watching the film, you might think that the girls don't have as tough of life as they think they do. I suppose that is so, however this is common for many teens, regardless of the country they live in. Moreover, the girls have turned their vision so inward, that they cannot see all that is around them. Call it a teen angst film, but you will find yourself wrapped up in the events as they play out.