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 saw Hating Alison Ashley twice in cinemas, the first time because my sister loves Delta Goodrem, the second because I actually really liked it.

Personally, I thought Delta's acting was a bit wooden, and the whole cast looked several years over fourteen, however Saskia Burmeister brought the role of Erika Yurken to life.

The book on which the film is based is set while the characters are in grade six, so the film tackles the situation a little differently, turning the class bully, Barry Hollis (played EXCELLENTLY by Alex Cappelli) into a bit of a love interest, however the rest of the story stays pretty true to the book, adding in a bit of slapstick humour here and there.

Overall, the film is definitely worth seeing, even if you're not a Delta fan (trust me, I really can't stand her, but I still really enjoyed this movie).

When i walked into the cinema i was worried, very worried. Here i was walking into a film adaptation of a book that i have read literally over 30 times, Klein's classic Hating Alison Ashley. Luckily i had prepared myself. I was prepared for the 11 year old story turned into a 14 year old story played by 19 year-olds. I was prepared for the more than likely over-hyped, overrated and very average performance of Delta Goodrem. And thats exactly what i got. But there was a little ray of sunshine in the true lead actor, Saskia Burmeister. Her and Jean Kittson (absolute legend, brilliant in this film) were the reason that i managed to walk into the cinema in the first place. Seeing Saskia in Wicked Science, The Pact and Thunderstruck, she hit me as someone who had a real talent, and here her talent really shines. She basically single handedly saves this film, every scene with Goodrem is saved by her. Her portrayal of Yuk is so beautifully accurately done, that in the end it really doesn't matter about the changes made from the book to the film. She was the reason i enjoyed this film as much as i did, which is amazing cause i managed to give it a 7/10 which considering the close to butchering of the book and goodrem it could've been a lot worse. Apart from the brilliant burmeister, there are some great little performances as well. Kittson of course is at her usual brilliant best, Craig Mclaughlin was a crack up in the small amount of screen time he was given, and even the beefed up role of Barry Hollis (Anthony Carpanelli) was although different to the book, worked an absolute treat in the film.

So all in all....Delta stick to what your good at..no wait not even that...go away....

Saskia.... get your AFI award speech ready!

When i heard that this movie was coming out i couldn't of cared less but then i went with my friends and thought it was one of the best Aussie movies after the castle.

I thought Sarskia was brilliant and though people keep dissing her Delta wasn't to bad either even though i think she should stick to singing, however the person i thought was outstanding was the teacher of 9C, every line was delivered with such sarcasm that i thought was hilarious.

This movie is aimed at 12 to 14 year old's, i think thats why i enjoyed it so much as I'm 13, i could kind of get what Erica was on about, her frustration and anger about how no one appreciates her "art".

i would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys a bit of a light hearted fun, (especially good for a boring Saturday afternoon!

I recently saw Hating Alison Ashley in the cinema and I was blown away by Delta Goodrem and Saskia Burmeister's performances. First of all I would like to say that is appalling no one supported this film, it was brutally honest, as an individual I can empathise with the character Erica Yurken, mainly because I understand her upbringing and her complex behaviour and then there's the character Alison Ashley who everyone thinks is all perfect and has everything, until you get to know her properly. The author Robin Klein has created many characters that people can relate to especially high school students. It was very well done for Australian standards, haven't seen a good Aussie flick like this since "Looking for Alibrandi" or "Strictly Ballroom".

As for the film, just proof that Australians have potential to tell a good story.

Hating Alison Ashley? Nah, she's alright.