South Solitary

This movie seemed to slip under the radar in Australia when it was released, though it is a very fine production. The cast, headed by Miranda and Barry Otto, give good impressions of their characters, though Barry Otto might be accused of over-doing the grumpiness. That type of officious, hyper-critical person was common in the 1930s (and later). The title suggests that the lighthouse is situated on South Solitary Island which lies off the northern NSW coast near Coffs Harbour, an idyllic spot. The setting of the movie is anything but idyllic, the locations being the windswept capes of Victoria, subject to the fierce Roaring Forties. There is no obvious plot; nearly two hours is spent examining the relationships between Meredith and the other members of the lighthouse crew. The long shadow of World War 1 hangs over the characters, all of whom have major personality problems and psychological defects. There is a hiatus between two major incidents which confused me for a time. Perhaps there is a pile of film on the cutting room floor that would have covered the time between Meredith being sprung by Netty and the scene with the launch heading out to sea. We are left to fill in a lot of gaps here and we can only guess at the turmoil that occurred. Viewers will find it difficult to identify with any of the characters. There is no hero though we might have some sympathy for the hardship endured by all people who used to work in such isolated places.

Is this really the best we can do? Actors did a good job with the material they were given. Cinematography was professional. At the end of the day, without a story what's the point.

If you don't mind watching a film populated with flawed but easy to identify with characters, then I urge you to check out South Solitary. I enjoyed this film very much, particularly the performance of Miranda Otto as Meredith, as it would be very easy to find this character unlikeable if it had not been handled as beautifully and sympathetically as Miranda does. It was also interesting to see the inner workings of an operational light house from that period as I new very little of the life of a light house keeper going into the screening. The sound design is also brilliantly weaved throughout helping to add a lot of emotion within the probably smallish budget. I found South Solitary both wryly funny and human in just the right proportion and for the right audience it will be a pleasant surprise.

A man and his niece, Meredith, arrive on a remote island where a light house is situated and he is to serve as the new head lighthouse keeper ("head keeper" for short). Already serving on the island are 2 keepers: A man named Harry who has a wife and 3 children; a young girl and 2 boys a few years older. Harry is sociable; a smooth chatterbox with a bit of mischief and slyness in his humor and overall personality. The second keeper is a man named Fleet who is the opposite of Harry. So he's a man of few words who likes to keep to himself. As well, he seems to be wrestling with some painful issue concerning a war he served in; an issue that on occasion causes him to become delusional and behave oddly (problematic when it occurs on his watch).

Newly arrived, Meredith encounters some resentment on the part of Harry's wife, Alma, who feels he was unfairly passed over for the job of head keeper though she assures Meredith that she does not blame her personally. Alma comes across as strong and hard-working; someone who has her hands full all the time (Well why not? She has 3 children and maybe to some extent a fourth in her husband). She is no-nonsense and blunt and one has the impression that she is not a good enemy to make.

Just before encountering Alma, Meredith immediately befriends Nettie, Harry and Alma's little girl, by allowing the child to care for a lamb she brought to the island with her. This makes Alma happy. She is a somewhat enigmatic child; and so one get's the impression that one has to be wary or tactful around her lest one say the wrong thing and she goes scurrying off to plot your untimely end (just kidding). In contrast, we do not get as good a look at her 2 brothers; only enough to determine that they are 2 scamps.

On his part, Meredith's uncle Wadsworth wastes no time laying down the law. Essentially saying to his subordinates, "It will not be business as usually. You are irresponsible slackers (the light in the light house was reported out a few times by passing ships). Your conduct will go on record. Shape up, or ship out." So we learn early in that Uncle Waddy has no sense of humor. All business all the time. Old guy treats Meredith likes she's JUST an employee (she actually is; a secretary of sorts) and not also his niece. Their relationship is formal; more so on his side since Meredith is friendly by nature. She also has a weakness in her character suggested by this friendliness which leads to tragedy.

What to say about Meredith herself?

My impression of her is of a friendly, out-going, out-reaching person. This per se or by itself is not a bad thing. But we come to understand that at the root of this friendliness is "neediness". So she's not only reaching out to you, but "pulling you in" as well to be used as a crutch of some sort; to compensate for something lacking. Perhaps a certain level of self-sufficiency that comes with maturity; the ability to deal with being alone sometimes. Meredith is not a bad person but her neediness is very strong. We see this symbolically in the baby lamb she brought to the island clutched to her bosom. This neediness can lead to thoughtlessness and selfishness wherein assuaging one's own need, or in Meredith's case, her "sense of loneliness", takes priority over all else; her sense of honor and decency; her responsibility to others.

I won't spoil it for you by saying much more. I believe I've given enough hints on how Meredith's flawed character; her neediness (appearing outwardly as excessive friendliness and kindness) get's her into trouble. This movie has a laid back pace. There's no "high drama" until around the middle, or so. And that only translated into raised voices, Meredith crying, and some leaving the island. In a nutshell, no one stabbed or shot anyone, ---or held anyone for ransom (Damn it!). Anyone who likes "relationship drama" will enjoy it much more, I think. Possibly women more than men, though I don't want to stereotype. Love, Boloxxxi.

D and I watched this terrific film yesterday afternoon and we both shared similar thoughts about its quality. This film, about a young woman sent with her administrative uncle to "clean up" the operation of a very remote lighthouse is truly an iconic Australian film. I am reasonably familiar with the world's cinema and can therefore (modestly) make judgments about the types of film produced by various countries and South Solitary is a movie that is Australian through and through. Our movies are gutsy, perhaps rough, slice-of-life movies. The big budget Hollywood types (like Australia) are exceptions to this rule and do not easily sit well with the norm or at least the norm as I see it. Films like Japanese Story, Jindabyne, Oyster Farmer, Beautiful Kate and Last Ride are just a few of the many introspective movies that our film industry produces and that Diane and I anticipate eagerly and now we can add South Solitary to this list of, dare I say, brilliant movies. I know of no other country that produces films of this nature; films that are strangely uplifting in their context. The film's ending, with no Hollywood tears, is perfect. See this film and do not judge it by the standards for which we have been smothered by a foreign culture. South Solitary is rich with feelings that all of us can recognize and I would unconditionally recommend it.