Una nueva oportunidad

"Take My Hand" was an interesting and often very serious look at love and living with Multiple Sclerosis, and represents a surprising departure from the cookie-cutter norm of these Netflix movies, which are similar in vein to Hallmark movies, just with more swearing and kissing.

As interesting as the story was, the real star of the show is the Australian countryside. Whether the wave-crashed coastline or the lusciously green, undulating hinterland with sweeping shots of horses galloping free, the scenery is breathtaking. Hopefully watching this movie will convince people to come and visit us here in Australia.

The cast features some notable Australian names: Radha Mitchell, Adam Demos (now starring in "Rescue Hi-Surf" on network television in the US), Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Steve Bastoni.

Demos and Mitchell have fantastic chemistry together. It's what makes this movie so good: plenty of moments that make you smile.

Take My Hand is supposedly one man's ode (writer/director, Raftopoulos) to his MS-stricken wife (Claire Jensz), but it also spends an inordinate and distasteful amount of time demonising Jensz's late husband, who is portrayed in the movie as a neglectful and distant husband and father consumed by his work and social engagements. The late Mark Pennycook died of a heart attack at 48, while his movie counterpart dies in a car accident following a heated argument with his wife. It is incongruous how Raftopoulos altered the cause of death, but not the bad husband characterisation, even if it were true. It seems extremely disrespectful to Pennycook and I wonder what his family has to say about it.

It is over an hour into the 100-min movie before Laura (real life Jensz) rekindles her relationship with Michael (real life Raftopoulos). Taking a chronological perspective made the story plodding and I fast forwarded in some parts to arrive at the point where she relocates her family back to Australia, following her losses. Personally, I would begin the story at her late husband's funeral, flashing back to the events before his death, including her MS diagnosis and getting fired. The move back to Australia would follow, succeeded by scenes of her running into her old flame and cutting back to their first meet when they were just teenagers.

But what would I know? I'm not the multi-millionaire who listed my Byron Bay house for 25 million dollars. Many people suffer from MS and I know some of them personally. It's difficult to feel sorry for an extremely well-to-do family when most people with MS are doing it much tougher without the resources that these two possess.

This a little ripper. A true story, which always makes things interesting. Scenes of the beautiful northern NSW coupled with the lifestyle of the London middle class / well - to - do.

The contrast and connection between the main characters UK vs AUS lifestyle makes this is no normal little Aussie Indi film. To the contrary, it is sophisticated filming punching above its budget weight.

Each character works a treat with the choice of casting and the underlying message of the plight of true love against the insidious disease that is MS, means a love story with a sad twist holds the theme together - and it works.

One of the most beautiful movies I've seen in a very long time.. about what love truly is.

I found it, not only heartwarming and sweet but an actual pretty realistic portrayal of how when you really love someone, nothing is too much to take on, you just do it. Just the right mix of emotions for a romantic film, including a few laughs, tears and happiness.

Also captures lovely landscapes of our gorgeous country here in Australia and the actors did an amazing job with the characters too.

Well done to all who were involved making this one.. and I hope the family were happy with the portrayal of their story, I certainly found it very inspiring.

This is a wonderful story of life, love, and all it's messy complications. The acting is wonderful for such a delicate issue as health. It is a story that reminds us of our limitations, and dealing with them. It is also an excellent example of how love can help us through our health issues, and overcoming their effects. The story sets a great example of who we can be in working to overcome and deal with our limitations and challenges. Hats off to the 2 main actors for their great performances. The youths in this film were pretty good, too. It is a good movie for the whole family to see. I truly recommend it.