Release

The makers clearly had a good go at presenting some big issues but it's not enough. It's not so much a story as a bunch of socio-political observations strung together by a school play.

And while it shows dedication that the cast must have worked for a share of the profits (ie. nothing) the acting is *so* poor that it detracts horribly from the film's various statements. The statements themselves are worthy but presented in a simplistic way that lacks punch - (Metaphorical) prisons are dark and bad; (Metaphorical) freedom is light and good. Good-looking gays on one side; ugly mutants on the other.

I don't want to pile up the complaints because I think the motivation for the film is sound but you've got to do better if you're going to ask for people's time and money.

Although I found the plot a bit confusing and disorienting at first -- which was intentional I am sure -- with 1 or 2 minor exceptions the actors gave good solid performances. The lighting and camera work was interesting, sometimes non-conventional, but the over-all visual effect was well done. Although apparently a modest-budget film, the final production values seemed to be high quality. While any modest-budget film could be improved if a mega-budget had been available, this film does not seem to suffer from simple settings -- attention to detail is more important than lavish sets. It is an enjoyable drama, although the violence and subject matter may be inappropriate for younger audiences and highly sensitive people. Excellent performances by the leading actors: Daniel Brocklebank and Gary Summers!

I was surprised to see a review by someone who only watched the first third of the movie -- that is hardly giving any movie a fair chance.

This film represents another departure from the norm in gay themed films. It is a tough love film with striking images and sequences that allow the viewer to fill in the elliptically presented representation of prison life versus Catholic ideology and the controversy surrounding the red hot issue of euthanasia.

I won't pretend that I found it an easy watch because it isn't - what it is however is a cleverly constructed narrative that twists time with flashbacks and fantasy sequences that underpin the main thrust of the story.

I was left after seeing this film with a greater understanding and sense of the pain of love that exists between gay men especially when coupled with the contemporary issues explored.

It has probably not sat well with gay audiences because it is a film that is more than the usual gay fare. It has a strength of determination to it's approach that borrows with ease from well known films that are much loved and critical exemplars.

Given that the budget was so low it is amazing what has been pulled off in this film. Some of the cast clearly were relying on intuition when it came to their performances but the leads are seasoned professional and recognisable actors whose performances were not reduced by the amateurs supporting them - moreover it added an authenticity to the emotional journey.

I wasn't sure what to expect but more importantly I wasn't disappointed. Very interesting film. It was great to see a lengthy complimentary "making of" on the DVD which revealed an earnest engagement from all involved but also a great sense of fun whilst making it..good for them.

Cruel discussion. About faith, love and shadows of gestures. About sacrifice and its root. About silence as cage. It is a beautiful gray movie. Delicate as burnt paper. Bit as dust of cinnamon. Strange as a walk behind present. Story of a priest and his fake errors. A murder and life in prison. A love story. Silhouette of devil. And the punishment . A movie like melted lead. Few crumbs of Dostoievski, some drops from old British film, air from cold spaces of memory, game of a world. It is only a challenge. So, it is difficult to say if it is a good film, boring or mediocre. It is a picture. Bitter, salty, sour, with taste of gall.Nothing is alright. Every character - a broken doll. It is not a drama. Only a search. And a way without destination.

Wow these guys know how to take a tired market that has become swollen with pretty poor product and looked the gay audience in the face and said - you don't have to watch all that mundane,clichéd crap - you can endure and watch decent and well made films with central gay characters. They did it with SHANK and blew audiences away and with RELEASE they have gone further.

This is a chilling prison drama that draws you into the claustrophobia of the nondescript prison from from one. Father Gillie, stripped of his priestly garb and is marched through the recognisable process of being showered and dressed in prison clothes. Housed in his cell with a younger troubled man it doesn't take long before rumours abound that the Priest is really a paedophile. Now an easy target thanks to the insinuations he becomes hunted. Security comes in the form of a prison guard who befriends him and with whom love and an affair develops. When safely behind locked doors their illicit relationship blossoms and only then do we learn of the true crime that has put our priest inside...

You will be drawn in, feel uncomfortable with the claustrophobia of the prison, the atmosphere is oppressively scary and you will become emotionally overcome at the true confession of his crime. BUT more importantly you will want more than anything for Father Gillie to get out and to be with his new lover, Officer Martin Crane.

It's deep, dark and very moving. Great performances from all the cast....all I can say is you'll never look at surgical blue gloves in the same way every again after seeing this film......