Streamline

Streamline is such an impressive and captivating film. Easily the best Australian film I've seen in years. This is a coming of age film about a young swimmer that defies all the cliches of the genre. Levi Miller's performance as Ben is amazing; so much is said with so few words and he never betrays the role. Ben leaps off the screen and my concern for his welfare left me holding my breath for most of the film. Jason Isaacs is Ben's estranged father whose release from prison prompts Ben's world to suddenly overwhelm him. The movie unfolds beautifully, with incredibly natural performances that anchor it firmly among the best Australian films. The photography is brilliantly understated, supporting and never distracting from the story. The sound is similarly masterfully used. Tyson Wade Johnston, the writer and director, is so effortlessly confident that it's almost incredible this is his feature debut. Highly recommended.

The life got sucked out of this movie by the downtrodden writing. There was just not much excitement in the movie in any way. It's supposed to be inspiring but my god, you just want to rescue this kid from his life. Awful parents, awful friends, in an awful environment that beats you over the head with bullies and despair. I watched 38 minutes in and had to give up. Just nothing to hope for here, except that prospective viewers read this and skip it. Started this on a whim and couldn't wait to turn it off.

Benjamin 'Boy' Lane (Levi Miller) is a 15 year old Australian swimming phenom on the path to the Olympics. His life starts falling apart after his abusive criminal father Rob Bush (Jason Isaacs) gets released from prison.

I must warn anyone wanting Jason Isaacs to be a big part of this movie. He is in a supporting role here although it is an important one. The kid is ok although he's no James Dean. For most of the movie, he has two modes. He is either smiling or not smiling. It's not until the end when he tries to expand his acting. This needs the kid to do more and Jason Isaacs could have drawn that out of him. I'm sure that Isaacs was too busy to give them more than a few days.

Throughout this film, I had to keep asking myself, "Why bother?" The acting is competent. The production values are adequate for the job. But the script is sadly wanting. The adjectives that come to mind are: predictable, tedious, labored, timid, muddled. I can only hope that the writer meant to do better but felt constrained. If this film is the result of an unconstrained talent, there is much to lament.

Actors and characters with zero personality or emotional connection, makes non engaging viewing. Australia desperately needs to do better, especially with selecting and casting its actors. Are they told to be bland and scripted?