TEN EMPTY is a family drama in the classic mold - a story of a family riven by past tragedies, denial, unspoken truths, alcohol abuse and social divergence. Eliot (Daniel Frederickson) has returned to the suburban family home for the christening of his half-brother. He's been living in the big smoke, and has become quite successful, and is a big fish out of water not only in his hometown but in his very home. His father (Geoff Morrell) is deeply troubled, as is his younger brother (Tom Budge), and Eliot's attempts to help them are met with troubling obstacles. To reveal much more would be to spoil the revelatory nature of the plot. It's a coming-home film, a family-secrets film, but most of all it is a father-son film, and it is the strength of Morrell and Frederickson in these parts that allows the film to soar. Entirely believable as a father and son, both actors create completely believable and complex characters. Morrell has some devastating emotional moments and plays an extremely contentious character without adding a layer of judgment or comment. Frederickson is more reserved, an observer in his own story, but the pain, trauma and conflicted love he feels for those around him is ever-present. Although the less flashy part, it can have been no less emotionally demanding to play.
These two fine actors are backed up by a brace of extremely fine supporting players (including the great Jack Thompson in just the right role). The integrity of their performances match that of the script, which rings heartbreakingly true. The direction never tries to hide the fact that this is a serious drama about serious things, yet never falsely pulls on our heartstrings (I thought a little of Atom Egoyan). The story is powerful enough, and here the actors are allowed to tell it without a lot of directorial bells and whistles. Indeed, it's really an actor's movie, and these actors make it an intense, disturbing, and ultimately very satisfying and rich dramatic experience.
