I Love You Too

I Love You Too
Year: 2010
Director: Daina Reid
Cast: Brendan Cowell, Peter Dinklage, Peter Helliar, Yvonne Strahovski, Bridie Carter, Megan Gale

In My Own Words
The lights come up and I am bursting with pride. Unless you live in Australia, chances are you have not heard of “I Love You Too” yet. This film is a highly anticipated Australian comedy and it definitely does not disappoint. It made me so proud to be an Australian and see such a great Australian film like this. What made me so happy about this film, is that many Australian films can often harp on the idea of what it means to be Australian and be very stereotypical, while this one is anything but. “I Love You Too” was just a great romantic comedy, but it wasn’t just about romance between a man and woman. It is also about the relationships between best friends, family and strangers. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not giving this film a good review just because it is Australian, “I Love You Too” is a very good film no matter where it was made. Unfortunately I cannot find any evidence that “I Love You Too” will be released overseas as of yet. If it does, I encourage everyone to go and see it to see the cream of Australian comedy, or just to see a unique romantic comedy which doesn’t blend into the mould of the one falls in love with the criminal whitewash we seem to be experiencing at the moment.

There is also much fun to be had playing “Spot The Celebrity”. Although the majority of stars in this film are Australian, there are quite a few that non-Australians will also spot. For example, see if you can spot Rose Byrne, whom I wasn’t 100% sure about until I read the credits. Popular Australian comedians Hamish Blake and Angus Sampson also have cameos, although blink and you will miss Sampson.

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review
Daina Reid’s film directorial debut, “I Love You Too” is a winner. It is a showcase of Australian comedy and acting talent in the best possible way. What makes this film so successful is that the story explores so much more than the typical romantic comedy as a result of an extremely clever script, great characters and some very real emotions. Jim (Brendan Cowell) has been dating Alice (Yvonne Strahovski) now for three and a half years, but has yet to say the L word. Fed up with Jim’s commitment phobia and his inability to grow up, Alice breaks up with him and decides to move back to London. Jim decides that he will do everything in his power to win Alice back, with some help from Charlie (Peter Dinklage) and very little help from his best friend, Blake (Peter Helliar).

“I Love You Too” is not only very funny, but very clever. The script is very well written by Peter Helliar, although it is a bit predictable. Like many romantic comedies, the conclusion is very predictable. The comedy itself can also be very predictable at times. There are some jokes and funny sequences that you are able to see coming a mile away. There are actually some very dramatic moments in the film as well, which makes the film extremely unique and unlike any other recently released comedy. There are underlying themes which will make the film a good life lesson for many people. One of the best aspects of this film is the character development. Each character is extremely unique and the audience feels like they know each character personally. The ensemble of actors work perfectly with each other and there is on-screen chemistry between each character in each relationship presented. Watching these characters on screen is extremely engaging and entertaining. Daina Reid’s directing is strong and the cinematography is also very strong.

Brendan Cowell here shows his acting versatility as a child in a grown man’s body. He does the role well, but sometimes fails to grasp the comedic nature of the role and is overshadowed by actors who specialise in comedy. Although Brendan Cowell is very good, it is Peter Dinklage who steals the show. He gives a fantastic heartfelt performance as the romantic widower. It is not often that an actor can give such an emotional performance in a comedy film, and witnessing such a beautiful performance here is a real treat. He wins the hearts of everyone in the audience and brings a tear to the eye in one amazing scene with Megan Gale. Gale also does very well in her role as a beautiful supermodel. Yvonne Strahovski is also gives a good performance remaining sweet and fragile throughout the film. Peter Helliar is very funny, but his performance is not anything different to other pieces of work that he has done. Helliar’s scriptwriting is actually stronger than his acting in this film.

There are not a great abundance of Australian romantic comedies like “I Love You Too”, which is more reason to see this film. Not just Australians will enjoy the humour in the film and people will be surprised at just how much emotion there really is in this film. Not one for surprise endings, but still a good watch.
7.5/10

Beneath Hill 60

Beneath Hill 60
Year: 2010
Director: Jeremy Hartley Sims
Cast: Brendan Cowell, Steve Le Marquand, Harrison Gilbertson

In My Own Words
I am so ashamed that it has taken me 7 months into Movie Critical’s existence to review my first film from my homeland, Australia. It really is very sad how little media attention Australian films receive here in Australia. One would think that they would be insanely popular, but no. I am a big supporter of Australian film as I do believe that there are great Australian filmmakers out there, but the problem is that the Australian film industry is nowhere near as successful of has as much financial support as other countries. According to Screen Australia’s website “Get The Picture”, the total box office expenditure of 2009 was $1087.5 million, with only $54.8 million of this being made by Australian films. 349 films were released in Australian cinemas last year and only 46 of these were Australian films. I can only hope that this review will encourage more Aussies to go and see more home grown movies, and that it will encourage overseas readers to watch out for Australian films at their local cinema.

“Beneath Hill 60” has recently been brought by UK film distributor, Momentum Pictures, which is great news meaning that the world will get to see more great Australian cinema. One of the problems that many Australian films face in being taken abroad is that the films do not appeal to the global audience. However, I do believe that this will not be the case with “Beneath Hill 60”. Yes, there is a lot of Australian slang used in the film, but first and foremost it is a war film based in World War I and has greater appeal than just Australians. It is the best Australian was film since “Gallipoli” and there is no reason why it shouldn’t be considered for the Australian Film Institute Awards in 2011. For our overseas readers, I also have to say that this film was released just in time for Anzac Day here in Australia. ANZAC stands for Australian New Zealand Army Corps and 25th of April is the day that we pay tribute to all the soldiers that have fought for Australia. “Beneath Hill 60” was released on April 17th and was perfectly timed for this occasion.

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review
A good war film is never an easy ride, as “Beneath Hill 60” proves. It can be completely gut wrenching and tear jerking at times, not to mention completely suspenseful. The hardest part of this film, and indeed any war film, is realising that it is not all just make believe, that there are people out there who have and will continue to experience these horrors. “Beneath Hill 60” is based on the true story of Captain Oliver Woodward (Brendan Cowell), who finds himself on the western front in World War I, working in the underground tunnels below Hill 60. Here, he and his group of soldiers work in the tunnel system to try and carry out the biggest man made explosion to date.

Like many war films, this film shows the horrors of war and how war takes its toll on the soldiers. There are some very emotional and hard-hitting moments, and many scenes that are not for the faint hearted. However, the setting of the underground tunnels does set this film apart from the stereotypical war film of fighting on land, although there is this as well. The script is very well written and tells the story of these soldiers in such a way that it is enthralling from start to finish. The film is very suspenseful, yet the first half is more suspenseful than the second. It seems like the first half and the second half are almost two storylines, but nevertheless, both are good in different ways. The cinematography is good for the most part, but the special effects are not quite as lifelike as what one would hope. The musical score and sound are also fantastic, as is the ability of director, Jeremy Hartley Sims to recreate the warfront and early century Australia.

Brendan Cowell is the star of “Beneath Hill 60” and gives the standout performance of the film. He carries himself beautifully throughout the whole film and shows the change in his character as the film goes on. He is able to be the tough soldier, the smart mouthed new guy, the gentleman and the mentally wounded ex-soldier all in one film and carries each persona out perfectly.

“Beneath Hill 60” may be too much for some people to watch, as it is gory in the way which war films are and can be very upsetting. It shows the ways in which war affects soldiers emotionally and how boys come back from war as men and no man comes back the same as they left. However, it is a beautifully made film and definitely one to be seen and praised.
8/10