David O'ConnellLast Train to Freo (2006)
June 6th 2008 06:32
This a is a very solid low-budget Australian film which I think is only partially hampered by its stageplay origins, the entire 80 minutes taking place on a single train carriage from the Perth suburb of Midland to Fremantle.
The acting needs to be strong with a set-up like this, with no external distractions to take the focus away from the performers. All five actors are very good though under the direction of well-known actor Jeremy Sims, venturing behind the camera for the first time. Though I must say the production design could have done with a grittier attention to detail – I’m not exactly familiar with Perth trains but I’ve never seen a train carriage as pristine as this in Melbourne! Come on, where’s the knife-torn seats and graffiti on the walls?!!? Anyway, that may be a slight distraction at the start but it's soon forgotten as the drama develops.
The first 2 people we meet are a guy known only as ‘Tall Thug”, who is our main character, played by the physically imposing Steve Le Marquand, and his mate Trev (Tom Budge). Both are lowlifes, sporting tattoos and in scruffy clothing, who we soon learn have done numerous stints in jail. They're the only 2 passengers as it takes off but a few stops later an attractive young lady, Lisa (Gigi Edgley), boards and these two predatory males make her their focus of attention. They attempt to start innocuous conversations with her, intimidating her with their appearance and demeanour, and she resists them at first before finally relenting, and becoming involved in their 'game'.
Two more passengers board later, an older woman, Maureen (Gillian Jones) who is the first to stand up to the 2 thugs. And a man in his late 30’s, Simon (Glenn Hazeldine), who's very watchful and clearly intimidated by the thugs from the start.
The film evolves through the simple interactions of these 5 people as we learn more of their stories, even whilst the threat of violent behaviour from the thugs constantly hangs over their late-night journey like a black cloud. It’s fascinating to try and guess who’ll give in to their fears first and leave, or if they have the courage to make it to their ultimate destination, Fremantle.
It becomes a game of psychological warfare and Reg Cribb’s screenplay (based on his own play) has quite a few unexpected twists in the last half hour as unimaginable connections between some of the players are revealed, changing our perspective of them and their motivations for being on this particular train. The last moments, in fact, come as a genuine surprise.
Steve Le Marquand turns out to be the real star of the film with a powerhouse performance, but he’s more than ably complimented by Tom Budge as his dim-witted mate Trev, who most accurately typifies the sense of hopelessness amongst people of his age from working class backgrounds who are constantly brushing up against the law.
Gigi Edgley isn’t always convincing playing the, at first, timid Lisa, but she does get better as we learn more about her and she's given freer reign. Similarly with the other two actors with Glenn Hazeldine’s Simon having the most surprising motivations for being there.
I ended up liking Last Train to Freo quite a lot, I think it ultimately defies its limitations to become a reasonably gripping psychological drama, certainly one worth watching............though I still say the train is too damn clean for my liking!!
The acting needs to be strong with a set-up like this, with no external distractions to take the focus away from the performers. All five actors are very good though under the direction of well-known actor Jeremy Sims, venturing behind the camera for the first time. Though I must say the production design could have done with a grittier attention to detail – I’m not exactly familiar with Perth trains but I’ve never seen a train carriage as pristine as this in Melbourne! Come on, where’s the knife-torn seats and graffiti on the walls?!!? Anyway, that may be a slight distraction at the start but it's soon forgotten as the drama develops.
The first 2 people we meet are a guy known only as ‘Tall Thug”, who is our main character, played by the physically imposing Steve Le Marquand, and his mate Trev (Tom Budge). Both are lowlifes, sporting tattoos and in scruffy clothing, who we soon learn have done numerous stints in jail. They're the only 2 passengers as it takes off but a few stops later an attractive young lady, Lisa (Gigi Edgley), boards and these two predatory males make her their focus of attention. They attempt to start innocuous conversations with her, intimidating her with their appearance and demeanour, and she resists them at first before finally relenting, and becoming involved in their 'game'.
Two more passengers board later, an older woman, Maureen (Gillian Jones) who is the first to stand up to the 2 thugs. And a man in his late 30’s, Simon (Glenn Hazeldine), who's very watchful and clearly intimidated by the thugs from the start.
The film evolves through the simple interactions of these 5 people as we learn more of their stories, even whilst the threat of violent behaviour from the thugs constantly hangs over their late-night journey like a black cloud. It’s fascinating to try and guess who’ll give in to their fears first and leave, or if they have the courage to make it to their ultimate destination, Fremantle.
It becomes a game of psychological warfare and Reg Cribb’s screenplay (based on his own play) has quite a few unexpected twists in the last half hour as unimaginable connections between some of the players are revealed, changing our perspective of them and their motivations for being on this particular train. The last moments, in fact, come as a genuine surprise.
Steve Le Marquand turns out to be the real star of the film with a powerhouse performance, but he’s more than ably complimented by Tom Budge as his dim-witted mate Trev, who most accurately typifies the sense of hopelessness amongst people of his age from working class backgrounds who are constantly brushing up against the law.
Gigi Edgley as the terrified Lisa
Gigi Edgley isn’t always convincing playing the, at first, timid Lisa, but she does get better as we learn more about her and she's given freer reign. Similarly with the other two actors with Glenn Hazeldine’s Simon having the most surprising motivations for being there.
I ended up liking Last Train to Freo quite a lot, I think it ultimately defies its limitations to become a reasonably gripping psychological drama, certainly one worth watching............though I still say the train is too damn clean for my liking!!
Why don't Melbourne trains look like this!!??
| 60 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
