Cut Snake

"Good day, Paula. I'm Jim, but you can call me Pommie."

My expectations are pretty high strung whenever I encounter an Australian movie again. I was pleasantly surprised already a few times after discovering a film from Down Under. Even though "Cut Snake" put me on the wrong track at a certain moment, the film in general wasn't really surprising. The denouement was even extremely predictable. The two main characters Jim "Pommie" Stewart (Sullivan Stapleton) and Mervyn "Sparra" Farrell (Alex Rusell) shared a grim past. That was kind of obvious. I didn't expect those two former prisoners to have a connection on a whole different level. At first it seemed Pommie had traced his partner in crime just to convince him to pick up the thread on a criminal level. As it becomes clear that Sparra has chosen to walk the right path, this throws a spanner in the works. Sparra has resolutely opted for the ordinary life with his fiancée Paula (Jessica De Gouw). Even a poorly paid job can't convince him to go back to a world of crime. What follows is a complex and tumultuous love triangle.

It's safe to say that "Cut Snake" is a melodramatic thriller. What certainly stands above the rest in this film is the acting of Sullivan Stapleton. Pommie is the type of figure who makes you feel a little uneasy instantly. A burly, heavily tattooed and intimidating appearance whose uncontrollable rage suddenly breaks out and then quickly disappears. Unerringly if unwittingly, Sparra is sucked into a destructive spiral of aggression and violence. And he himself will end up in an inner conflict. Even though it appears from the outset it's heading for a typical crime film, the movie makes an unexpected twist, changing it into a very different mood. In contrast to the terrifying face of Stapleton, Alex Rusell has an angelic face. An ordinary guy who appeared out of nowhere in Paula's life and whose dark past remained hidden until Pommie appeared on the scene.

The film is set in the 70s and situated in an Australian town near Melbourne. The whole film is made in the outspoken style from the 70's. Clothing, vehicles and used soundtrack fit perfectly. My compliments to the decor department. And if you're wondering what the film title exactly means, then I suggest you look up the Australian statement "mad as a cut snake". "Cut Snake" is an indie with a two-faced character. On the one hand it's a simple crime film. On the other hand it's a rather bold melodramatic love story. The twist incorporated in the film is not without a risk. An experiment where some of the viewers will have second thoughts about. I appreciated the subtlety with regard to how everything was imaged. No overly explicit scenes were being used. Not even during the violent scenes. The highlight for me was the moment the tough and resolute Pommie emotionally crashed and briefly showed how fragile and helpless he was. A strong and persuasive piece. Are you an adventurous movie lover? Then this film is really something for you.

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Australian movies of late have really been on the rise, with some great entries like "The Rover","The Mule", "Son of a Gun" and "Mystery Road", just to name a couple. And now this. Another very entertaining piece of film making with excellent acting all round particularly the powerhouse performance by Sullivan Stapleton. He really is the main attraction, and I still wonder why we don't see a lot more of him in American action-pulp. On the other hand, here he proves once again to be a great actor capable of a lot more than the gung-ho marine beats and shoots bad guys type he plays in the Strike Back series, so maybe a couple more of these great indie productions wouldn't hurt at all. Particularly check the guy out in the amazing "Animal Kingdom" by the director of "The Rover". In which he also plays a charged up volatile character even more perfectly. A highly recommendable movie.

This doesn't reach that class, but definitely is in a class of it's own. I love the fact the movie plays out in the 70's including the perfect soundtrack and meticulous detailing. This combined with some great tension building, pretty shocking twists and confronting bouts of violence makes it a movie that stands out just that bit more than an average comparable US made production. 7/10

I saw this premier last night and their was discussion on not revealing the twist and I wont for the sake of this review but I think its a bad idea not to reveal the twist. I think it'll make more money by revealing it. If its left as surprise it comes across more as a reflection on the actors ability to quickly change character as opposed to steeping in from the beginning that these characters can and do exist in the way they are despite their difference. It also seems clunky then and without integrity to appear suddenly different to the point that after that twist is established the movie is finished and resolved. The cinematography was very good and it really did have great features. Once scene in the Chinese restaurant didn't quote cut it for me though. Still overall collaboratively it presented round and beautiful to watch.

The overall rating for this movie is quite bad, so I didn't have much expectations. I was pleasantly surprised because I think it's a movie that opens the door for many conversations like toxic masculinity and the way we think we "possess" those we love. I think that it's true what other user said that this movie's biggest flaw is relying on many cliches - the cops being the worst of them all, but I also think it's the acting on secundary characters, the editing and the music choices that make you roll your eyes the most. It's sad because I think it could really have gone places.

Cut Snake is not your average/usual crime thriller. It is luckily much more. Somewhat based on the actual events that happened in Brisbane, Australia at The Whiskey A Go Go Night Club Fire that left 15 people dead in 1973. But the star attraction here is Sullivan Stapleton, known from 300:Rise of An Empire, Strike Back TV Series, Animal Kingdom and other movies and TV shows. He plays a testosterone filled criminal, full of anger and rage. He is most surely deserving of an award for his performance here. Sullivan's character is also a much more complex and not really what he seems to be at first. His character Pommie is an emotionally disturbed and hurt, character out of jail looking to rekindle with an old flame played by Alex Russell, that made a promise to him when they were in jail together. One of the surprises here is that both male leads are gay/bi and very masculine (unlike most false Hollywood characterization of a gay male being effeminate) Cut Snake will take you for a ride ( a good one at that) and leave you wanting more. Be sure to see it.