Hating Alison Ashley

I just attended a special preview of the movie, 'Hating Alison Ashley' and I was interested in seeing the performance of Delta Goodrem. Not reading the book, I am purely basing my comments on the movie I saw. In short, Delta Goodrem's performance is stiff and she doesn't play a very convincing 'Alison Ashley'. Firstly, she is supposed to be a Year 9 student, but she looks way older than the rest of the students. She also physically looks bigger than the rest of the students, making it hard to suspend disbelief that she actually is a troubled Year 9 aged between 14-15 years old. Most Year 9 students are aged between 14-15 years old, so I guess setting the story at Year 12 would have changed the whole narrative. Therefore, the makers of this movie clearly wanted Delta Goodrem at all cost to be in this movie. Apart from these setbacks, it's actually a very entertaining and funny movie. It holds your interest for most part of the film, but it slows down when the students head to camp and prepare for the play. The early high school scenes look very lifelike and give you an impression of just how bad some State schools are. Jean Kittson was superb in her role, as was Craig McLachlan playing the simple minded P.E teacher. Tracey Mann should have put a little bit more effort into her role as the single mother. However, it's Saskia Burmeister that really steals the spotlight with her wonderful performance. She was believable, passionate and understanding of the role of the confused Year 9 student. Delta Goodrem on the other hand was not. Delta came across as rigid and excessive in her role of the girl from the 'right side of the tracks'. Just look out for the scene when she is talking to her mother from the camp's kitchen, she manages to hang the phone, while she is still talking on the phone. I guess she can only learn from her mistakes, but why do we have to see them on a good film like this? On the whole, I enjoyed the film!

I did love the book by the same name, and was very much looking forward to seeing the movie, a bonus that is starred Delta Goodrem who i recently met! YAY However the first major problem i had was the fact that in the book, the characters are in year 6, about 12 years old. But in the movie, they're in year 9, supposedly about 15 (my year) but then the actors look about 18! What on earth? But movies cant't be exactly as the book, or the true story. I think the acting in this movie was pretty good, Saskia was great as Erica Yurken who is obsessed with the sick bay and drama! And Delta was alright too, but in every scene her hair bugs me. It's a wig, but it looks too 'wiggy'. Anyway 7/10 cos i liked it, love ya!

Well I heard a lot about this film, "Delta was wooden" and "Saskia was annoying" but after watching the film, I was pleasantly surprised.

Not a classic teen film by any means, but a really enjoyable way to spend your time. It was a refreshing change from the usual teen fare, and it was to nice to see actors who weren't the usual tanned bimbos playing the lead in a film. Giving unknown actors a chance in a low-budget flick that steered away from most of the clichés of the Hollywood teen film.

Saskia Burmeister was nothing short of charming in her role as Erica Yurken. Very talented and lit up the screen with her witty acting of the over-dramatic, kooky teen. Delta was really underrated as the titular character giving an understated performance as the so-called 'perfect' Alison Ashley of Erica's mind. Alex Cappelli was also good as the resident bad boy. It was good to see him in a bigger role as I have only seen him previously as a recurring character in 'Neighbours.' The screen is very nearly stolen by the teachers who are absolutely hilarious.

In conclusion, HAA was a very funny teen flick and should be given a chance. So the next time you are at your local DVD store and you feel like renting out the next Hollywood teen comedy, do yourself a favour - rent this instead!

I absolutely adore the book written by Robin Klein, so I was very excited when I heard that a movie based on the book was in the making.

But I was severely disappointed with the movie when I did see it because it didn't capture what I loved about the book - the absolutely ridiculously funny Erica and the interesting way in which she views the world.

From the start of the movie, I realised that things weren't the same as I had imagined in the book. So, I just went along for the ride. It wasn't all that bad, I guess. Miss Belmont was totally different to what I had imagined her to be! I didn't think she would be one to smoke and drink - Jean Kittson, who plays her, is hilarious!

On it's own, I thought the movie and it's actors/actresses in it did a good job, but alas, I'm such a fan of the book (one of my all time favourite books) that I couldn't help but feel disappointed =P

As a female year 9 (coincidently 9C), I found Hating Alison Ashley a joy to watch. Erica Yurken, who's played brilliantly by Saskia Burmeister, is a seemingly over-confident outcast, who believes she's superior to everyone else at her extremely dysfunctional school. Everything she's ever worked for is turned upside down when the "perfect" Alison Ashley from the snobby part of town, joins Erica's class, 9C. Delta's performance as the apparently flawless Alison Ashley was stiff at times but certainly adequate. It's Saskia Burmeister's performance that steals the show.

The supposed ages of the leads are very unconvincing. Am I supposed to believe these people are my age? 20 year old physically don't 'look like 14 year old even if they act it.

The best thing about the movie is that it's Australian! It's fantastic the see an Aussie teen flick which my friends and I can relate to so much more than an American equivalent. The 9C students have textbooks that I have, there are Australian products sold at the canteen, Erica eats a meat pie and there's tomato sauce on her kitchen table! In scenes there's the Westgate Bridge and Melbourne city in the background. It's fabulous! None of this would obviously ever happen in an American teen flick. The year nines don't speak with American accents or use American slang, have quarter-backs and cheerleaders and there's not even the American flag blowing in the wind in the background. It's just so refreshing to have an Aussie teen movie.