Swerve

This film just had its North American premiere this evening at The Hamptons International Film Festival. The crowd loved this picture. It is big on action and suspense, and it has a strange twist, which I will not disclose. The story is set in a small village in Australia, in which an innocent by standard is inadvertently drawn into a web of sex, drugs, money, and murder. These are all elements that make a good action film. The acting is very well done, the photography and direction are excellent, and Emma Boothe is really sexy. The film received a standing ovation in East Hampton NY, it should hopefully get a wide release *****

Apparently, Australian director and screenwriter Craig Lahiff wanted to create a "cool" thriller in the British style, but the result leaves to be desired. Even with duration less than 1 hour 20 minutes, there are long shots with riding cars and without text, the cast is not catchy, logic of twists and turns is difficult to follow, fighting/chasing scenes are arid, some supporting characters (e.g. Vince Colosimo's) are ungrounded, providing no additional value. Thus, the events do not run smoothly, and the outcome is just-another-felony-film probably suitable for killing time with popcorn rather than memorable film experience. Thanks to shortness, however, Swerve does not become boring, leading to a versatile, yet ambivalent ending.

But as for films coming from the Commonwealth of Nations, however, Australian ones are still much better than Canadian or Indian ones...

Mediocre Australian thriller heavy on characters and plot, but not quite as much on motivation or logic. It all starts off promisingly enough, with some intriguing scenes involving cars, drugs, death and a beautiful woman, but despite knowing well which ingredients he wanted, writer/director Craig Lahiff doesn't quite know how to prepare his dish. Mostly, his idea is to copy similar successful films, such as Tarantino's work or Oliver Stone's U-Turn. And to the extent that Swerve actually works, it's because of all the things we are not aware of in the film's first half, such as the characters' emptiness or the plot's stupidity. The talented Jason Clarke is the film's most positive asset, along with that story in the epilogue.

I have watched this movie twice, once at the "Premiere in Melbourne", and another time on a flight to Europe.

I enjoyed it very much, the reason why I watched twice.

The film is beautiful for its pictures filmed in South Australia (Flinders Ranges), and it is exciting due to its fast pace.

The story, which was detailed by other reviewers earlier, is exciting and keeps the viewer entertained at all times.

It is about money, love and revenge.

I would have no hesitation to see it a third time...

Anya Melbourne, Australia

Another Neo-Noir, this One from Austrailia, in the Tradition of John Dahl's Red Rock West (1993) and Oliver Stone's U-Turn (1997). Throw in a Little Coen Brothers and a Dash of Everything Else Ever in this Type of Thing and You have a Watered Down Version of Some Very Good and Entertaining Films in the Neo-Noir Genre.

Unfortunately this is Nothing New and so Irritatingly Nothing New and that Keeps it from Becoming Remarkable. It isn't Bad its just a Bit Wearisome and Not that Well Crafted. There are Some Glaring Edits and Transitions that are Head Scratchers and Confusing. The Gist is that They just don't Make Any Logical Sense.

The Appearance of a Formerly Beat Up Car, looking Raring and Ready to Go and the Jarring Scene where Our "Victim" of the Femme Fatale is Shown One Minute in a Watery Well and the Next is in Some Subterranean Situation of Tunnels and a Surprise.

It is Worth a Watch for Some Striking Cinematography and a Quirky Score and the Thing Moves Along at a Pounding Pace. There is Fun to be had here if the Thinking Cap is Removed and the Popcorn is Buttery, but there isn't Much Style and the Inclusion of the Marching Bands as Something Edgy is More Corny than Cool.