If you want to see Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving in 'ugly' sort of roles, then I really recommend you see Little Fish. It opens on the 24th in LA/NY. So Dolce i order you to see this movie.

It maybe a little to depressing because it is about a heroine addict who can't move on.

I know I am just pegging for another Australian movie to do well abroad, but this really, really is a strong film. A film for those who hide things from their past.

getluv, Its still TBA here on its release date. The minute I saw it I remembered your remarks, and its one of my most anticipated of the year because of it. You can be sure I'll be seeing it opening weekend when it finally opens here.

Comingsoon says 2/24 in limited release.

The first five unofficial reviews are filtering in over at rt. Looks to be good so far, and perhaps an early year sleeper hit with such a well-known cast.

Hugo Weaving's ability to fluctuate between every huge mega-blockbuster and every small indie never ceases to amaze me.

http://www.villagevoice.com/film/0608,g ... 67,20.html

First RT non-Oz review. Quite +ve.

Great review from comingsoon. 9/10.

Dolce is it playing close to you?

Not very close. Across town, but I'm going to do my best to watch it this week anyways. I have to see Tsotsi tomorrow, but maybe tuesday.

I really like Blanchett, and I get to see her live on March 3rd, so I really want to see this asap.

Hugo Weaving is in that play as well. Apparently 80% of all avaliable tickets to all the shows are sold. And opening night is only tonight. Wow.

Hope you have fun. I think I know why you live in New York. Something to do everyday.

Cate Blanchett is such a fine actress.

Forget Tsotsi, which will surely be garbage, and go see this asap.

Oh, and not to hijack the thread, but I've got La Strada sitting next to me.... I'll watch by this time tomorrow.

And thanks getluv for bringing this movie to my attention. Being a dorkishly huge fan of CB makes me even more interested....

it's only playing in 1 theatre in America. How embarrassing. I'm disappointed the bigger indie companies like SPC, WIP or FS didn't pick it up.

I thought that was a possible Oscar consideration for CB, her performance blew me away.

lennier i think u will love LITTLE FISH.

Dolce you might also want to check out LOOK BOTH WAYS which comes out in April. Another fanatastic character driven piece.

And seriously you have to get your hands on ALEXANDRA'S PROJECT.

That one little theatre will be visited by yours truly on Thursday, as I start work an hour and a half early, and get to leave early because of it. I've already got it marked down.

With Hadda Gabler on Friday, its a Blanchett double header. Did you guys see the Cate Power cover spread?

For one thing, I almost didn't recognize Weaving. Talk about quick transitions into new characters.

As for Little Fish. I have strong, but not stellar immediate reactions to it. Its story was nothing new, but it was incredibly well made, and I actually enjoyed the less polished narrative. Reflected the kind of "emergence" from a drug daze, and the sort of piecing together of memories from a time spent less conscious. I did like it, and I thought part of the content was very poignant. The inability for someone desiring to reform that can't get a second chance, and slips back into a scene Tracy never wanted to be part of again. On the other hand, she enters it from a new perspective, that of needing the money (at somewhat unconscienable costs) to do right, when no one else will help her out. Of course at the last minute she realizes that her investment will screw many peoples lives over, as she sees the face of drug addiction in Lionel. Of course, there's a lucky break there too, which rewards her for her decision, so it all turns out "ok."

Though honestly, *spoilers* the minute I saw the will, it was predictable what the outcome would be. I still thought it was interesting to watch it play out, which is a sign of quality, though I wouldn't have minded if it ended with a sale and she walked away afterwards either. *end spoilers* I feel like the ambiguity in the ending is a credit to the director and actors, that they weren't too moralistic of condescending, but in the end they did opt out for the clean uplifting finish. Though they should have ended with them driving away, and not that really odd, kind of Weekend at Bernies beach scene. That was just off.

Good movie, I'd recommend it, and I also noticed how conscious it was of immigration and class, without hitting us over the head too often with it. I do think, however, a drug-dealer turned stock broker hoax was a bit far fetched. Still, their relationship was interesting, so the two even out.

Well I'm glad you enjoyed Dolce. I also think it was too predictable, but as you said having them play out was a delight.

So judging from your review: a solid B. I went with A-, because Cate had my heart in my mouth with that performance.

So now I say, you should also see LOOK BOTH WAYS in April (it's resembles LANTANA a lot), it was filmed in my city where I live as well.

Yes, it was solid B. And Cate was great. I was most upset actually when she's going through the paperwork book and her boss is supporting her in eventually buying him out, and she starts to cry. He thinks she's just shy and lacking in confidence, and in the meantime she's thinking how she'd love to do it, but can't get the support from the banks.

I think it did say a bit about "reformed criminals." That unfortunately, bad credit, even if one has been working for years to right wrongs, usually means one is doomed to continue tangling with the same problems. Its cyclical, and speaks as to why many people who are caught with petty theft and up being numerous repeat offenders.

One of my bosses in Chicago used to work for mixed income housing developemnts and was always speaking about how they face trying to encourage home ownership even in the face of bad credit (typical for housing). She says they still do credit checks, but that they expect to see errors, so instead they look for individuals that seem to be aggressively dealing with past debt. Have been trying to be consistent on payments, hold down regular jobs, etc. Because Tracy had been employed as a manager for four years, with perfect attendance and credentials, but was denied from a period prior to then. Its trickie.

I have to admit though, I had no idea what those little blue liquid fish/drugs were. What drug is that?

I saw the trailer for look both ways, and it reminded me a bit of a melodrama, I didn't get the LANTANA feel at all. It seemed like a struggling with depression movie. Its good you give me a heads up on all of these though. I hope you consider hosting the Australia thread again next year at the film festival? :-)

Of course I will. Anyway we will worry about that later. I have some ideas.

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My brother was in trouble with drugs before, and just recently he's trying to get back on track because he has a family to support. Despite having a good job and healthy child his past still catches up with him. That's why I think it sold me.

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With LBW, i got the Lantana feel from the eerie mood in the film. But I think you will be impressed.

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Have you heard of these new Aussie dramas (yes I know, the only thing Australian directors/screenwriters are good at unfortunately):

SOMERSAULT (April 14) - I think this is a solid film with a few quelms. Another film that you would enjoy.

THE PROPOSITION (May 5) - People have described this as a Aussie 'DEADWOOD' so to speak. Brutal, but again a film that suits your taste.

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Also have fun at the play. More Cate and Hugo.