18 reviews
This was a real surprise, yes it feels like an afternoon movie, but that's no bad thing, it's well made, intriguing, and a very straightforward watch.
I loved the chocolate narrative throughout, and we really did get to see handmade chocolates being made. The start was excellent, the ending was dramatic, and the core of the story was very good also. Loved that dog.
Louise Lombard is great as Juliana, I thought she gave a very good performance, as did David Wenham as the smart Detective.
I would definitely recommend it, 7/10.
I loved the chocolate narrative throughout, and we really did get to see handmade chocolates being made. The start was excellent, the ending was dramatic, and the core of the story was very good also. Loved that dog.
Louise Lombard is great as Juliana, I thought she gave a very good performance, as did David Wenham as the smart Detective.
I would definitely recommend it, 7/10.
- Sleepin_Dragon
- Apr 16, 2020
- Permalink
A nice little show out of Sydney, with the interesting sideline of watching how handmade chocolates are created, and the use of them throughout the plot was novel.
David Wenham is great as the world-weary Detective Bennett O'Meara. We see some over-acting from the enthusiastic support team. I can understand their zeal given the few opportunities that occur outside the soaps on Australian TV. Aaron Glenane is very entertaining as Travis the computer geek.
The plot has a satisfying number of red-herrings and twists and it's worth a look to see the scenery, the coast is spectacular.
David Wenham is great as the world-weary Detective Bennett O'Meara. We see some over-acting from the enthusiastic support team. I can understand their zeal given the few opportunities that occur outside the soaps on Australian TV. Aaron Glenane is very entertaining as Travis the computer geek.
The plot has a satisfying number of red-herrings and twists and it's worth a look to see the scenery, the coast is spectacular.
An entertaining movie, with flashes of brilliance. The opening sequence was a sensual delight and Lombard was entrancing from go to end. Wenham has his moments. The plot was convoluted enough for the the keenest crime aficionado. The direction was uneven, but overall I had the sense that Joffe was back, but has yet to settle in.
Some of the police behavior did not ring true, but then again, I I guess it was all possible. Set in Sydney and on the road to Wollongong, the film highlighted some parts of NSW that don't normally make it to the movies.
Worth watching if you want a pleasant evening watching an interesting drama, a beautiful mature women, and glimpses of Sydney.
Some of the police behavior did not ring true, but then again, I I guess it was all possible. Set in Sydney and on the road to Wollongong, the film highlighted some parts of NSW that don't normally make it to the movies.
Worth watching if you want a pleasant evening watching an interesting drama, a beautiful mature women, and glimpses of Sydney.
Somewhat bizarre in terms of the chocolate woman and her boot fetish, but keeps you interested and just when you think thats all abit boring there is a twist in the tale. Not a bad effort if slightly quirky.
A decent evening movie that's clean enough mom can watch it. Looks like a series pilot.
- lawnmorgan
- May 28, 2020
- Permalink
Wenham was excellent as usual. The movie showed Sydney and the south coast at its best, great Rocks locations, wonderful close up views of Harbour Bridge, Lovece's south coast beach house location couldn't be beaten, visually this was a great film. The Sea Cliff Bridge at Coalcliff on the Lawrence Hargrave Drive also looked world class.
However, Louise Lombard drove me insane with her ubiquitous smile which should not be misconstrued as agreement or pleasure, her smile was also used to hide embarrassment, annoyance or disagreement.. it was so obviously false, could someone tell her not to underestimate the audience, we are perceptive and I for one found her omnipresent smiling akin to that of religious fanatics and as such enormously irritating. Other than that she was fine, nice voice, looked good.
However, Louise Lombard drove me insane with her ubiquitous smile which should not be misconstrued as agreement or pleasure, her smile was also used to hide embarrassment, annoyance or disagreement.. it was so obviously false, could someone tell her not to underestimate the audience, we are perceptive and I for one found her omnipresent smiling akin to that of religious fanatics and as such enormously irritating. Other than that she was fine, nice voice, looked good.
These kind of films are not normally my thing. However, lockdown makes for strange bedfellows!
Normally films of this genre are toe-curling in their 'sugaryness' and I started to watch some others and lasted about 10 minutes, they were that bad.
This one though was a cut above. It had a decent plot, it didn't have a ditsy female lead, the cop was played by Faramir from Lord the Rings (so he can act) and I found it a pleasant way to fill in a break with a cuppa and a biscuit.
Normally films of this genre are toe-curling in their 'sugaryness' and I started to watch some others and lasted about 10 minutes, they were that bad.
This one though was a cut above. It had a decent plot, it didn't have a ditsy female lead, the cop was played by Faramir from Lord the Rings (so he can act) and I found it a pleasant way to fill in a break with a cuppa and a biscuit.
- kebeadle-54933
- Nov 24, 2020
- Permalink
We stumbled on this movie and were engrossed from the first minute. What a clever premise, EX acting, full of surprising twists and turns. Great characters with layers, loved the dog, wonderful chemistry between the lead actors. What happened to the boyfriend? Dramatic twist ending!
I had no idea the female lead was played by Louise Lombard from House of Elliot--I did not recognize her at all with her long hair but she's still a beauty~what a pleasant surprise~saw her name in the credits.
You may spoil your diet after watching this mouth-watering treat!
I had no idea the female lead was played by Louise Lombard from House of Elliot--I did not recognize her at all with her long hair but she's still a beauty~what a pleasant surprise~saw her name in the credits.
You may spoil your diet after watching this mouth-watering treat!
- stormwatcher-59831
- Oct 13, 2021
- Permalink
- Jima-36-585491
- Jun 17, 2021
- Permalink
I couldn't get past the main female character wearing knee high boots in summer with sleeveless dresses. Then in one scene she has taupe boots on one minute and the next frame black........same scene. Strange.
Murder mystery where cop falls for chocolatier who also manages to be a suspect.
There is only one thing good about this move and that is Louise Lombard. She is not a young starlet, but she carries off the sophisticated sexy woman very well. Her Julianna is poised with subtle wit. OK the chocolate part of the movie is decent also. Several scenes of Julianna making chocolate.
Much of the dialogue is banal even if Lombard carries her lines well. All the other acting is bad. The pushy cop, I believe someone called him the gnome, is insulting and cliche. The female cop following Det. O'Mara like a puppy dog doesn't belong in the squad room. The Minister is also cliche as a corrupt politician.
The mystery itself isn't bed although there are too many potential bodies by the end of the movie for the murderer to have any hope of getting away with it.
Without Lombard, this is a two star movie.
There is only one thing good about this move and that is Louise Lombard. She is not a young starlet, but she carries off the sophisticated sexy woman very well. Her Julianna is poised with subtle wit. OK the chocolate part of the movie is decent also. Several scenes of Julianna making chocolate.
Much of the dialogue is banal even if Lombard carries her lines well. All the other acting is bad. The pushy cop, I believe someone called him the gnome, is insulting and cliche. The female cop following Det. O'Mara like a puppy dog doesn't belong in the squad room. The Minister is also cliche as a corrupt politician.
The mystery itself isn't bed although there are too many potential bodies by the end of the movie for the murderer to have any hope of getting away with it.
Without Lombard, this is a two star movie.
Acting a bit weak. No chemistry between leads. Too long. Production values ok. Sound recording good. Editing ok. Script needed work to tie up loose ends offer false leads. Midway between a weak cop show and a cozy mystery.
- cyclingreimagined
- May 5, 2022
- Permalink
I saw a decent rating so I decided to watch this movie. There is nothing redeeming about it. The acting is awful. The plot is unbelievable. The script is terrible. Essentially chocolates from one independent, random chocolate shop show up next to all of the victims and all of the suspects. That's how they solve the crime, follow the chocolate. And the woman who makes the chocolate randomly runs into the lead detective everywhere, so he just includes her in some of his questioning of suspects. Makes total sense. These chocolates make more appearances than the lead actors. Dumbest movie ever.
- robinsabat
- Jul 26, 2020
- Permalink
Sex addict, chocolate, murder. Right out of lifetime. Biggest surprise was the ending.
- mojo-72784
- Sep 27, 2020
- Permalink
- brownbrown-75526
- Apr 27, 2020
- Permalink
Useful to have lived in Australia to get the script. It's so Neighbours... totally non PC script 😂
Food is also a big part which is totally Australian, as are diets
A murder gets in the way of food but who cares
Hilarious....
Food is also a big part which is totally Australian, as are diets
A murder gets in the way of food but who cares
Hilarious....
- andrew-805
- Nov 28, 2020
- Permalink