Streamline

Gritty movie showing a true side of Australian teenage turmoil in combining sport with life. Johnston drew from personal experience both being an Australian and his experience in competitive swimming as a teenager. Levi Miller portrayed the role beautifully and the cast showed a very accurate portrayal of Australian life for many. Loved it.

There is a true grit of honesty in Aussie film and it's portral of people and language. This movie has it. A very confident film debut for Tyson Wade Johnston writing and directing. It's true blessing is the rising super star of Levi Miller. Amazing child actor who is growing into an talented actor (see Better Watch Out and American Exit for starters) and will be a superstar.

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.

Men are made by their mistakes. It's only when you lose everything you find out who you are. You find the best part of yourself.

For a directorial debut, Tyson Johnston did a solid job making a touching and investing story. The performances were all solid. And hey, there's Jason Isaacs, who did a great job even though he had little screen time.

The story itself still was a bit too quick. The relationship between the estranged dad and the kids should have been explored further.

Overall, it's a good drama with potential. 7.5/10.

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?