Beautiful Kate

Proving once again that when it comes to intense family drama's and quietly powerful studies of grief and secrets, Australia does it just as good if not better than anyone else, little known but well regarded local film Beautiful Kate is a fine example of the above average productions that often manifest themselves in our home grown industry.

Directed by actress turned director Rachel Ward, starring a then just about to hit the big time Ben Mendelsohn and Australian stalwarts Bryan Brown and Rachel Griffiths alongside the at the time newcomer Sophie Lowe, Beautiful Kate isn't an easy or even what you'd call enjoyable watch but this impressively filmed and acted slice of outback family melodrama is a worthy film to be sort out by connoisseurs of Australian cinema.

The most pressing reason to source Ward's film is of course the man of the moment Ben Mendelsohn. Playing internally repressed writer Ned Kendall who grew up with his unloving farmer father Bruce played by Brown, Mendelsohn once more displays his finely tuned performance skills to play troubled characters and it offers us cinema lovers one of the rare chances to see Mendelsohn take lead in a film even if both Brown and Lowe deserve kudos for their respective turns. Lowe in particular makes a rather confronting and stripped back mark as the layered Kate, Ned's sister who is the central cause behind much of his seething struggles.

The film also looks fantastic with impressive camera-work by DOP Andrew Commis and Ward's direction in certain areas really captures particular moments and feelings, no better exemplified by the way in which the younger version of Ned is often displayed in a first person point of view, throwing the viewer head first into the time and place that shaped Ned's life before it ever really had a chance to truly begin. It's a smart directional choice and a brave one as is Ward's determination to not shy away from the difficult and often disturbing subject matters that lay ever present within her story.

Final Say –

Far from perfect and sometimes not as emotionally resonate as you would've liked, Beautiful Kate is a worthwhile tough watch thanks to its fine production values and noteworthy performances that includes a pre-Animal Kingdom Ben Mendelsohn in what's another fine example as to why he should be regarded as one of Australia's best ever acting imports.

Not a film for everybody, Beautiful Kate is however a film any fan of Australian cinema should check out if they missed its original critically backed run from 2009.

3 ½ campaign posters out of 5

Let me start by saying that Beautiful Kate is an acquired taste. I believe that it's a movie that'll either shock you or enthrall you. This will depend on how attached you can become to a film. If you are not one of those people, then you'll still find an interesting, yet disturbing, flick.

If you are one of those 'attached' people, like me, then you will find an unexpected masterpiece.

Technically, there is a lot of impressive stuff here. The direction, editing, production and cinematography are most impressive. The editing is the notable mention for the way in which the film blends together different timelines in such a seamless manner. So while the director performs brilliantly, I think it's the editing team who should step forward and take the final bow for creating something so cohesive. But South Australia must also take a bow for providing some spectacular backdrops which you will get to see as the movie progresses.

I think Kate will go down as a critics' favourite and I hope to see it win big at awards. Australia is the place to be for art-house films these days. Beautiful Kate is the pinnacle of modern Australian movies. In recent years we've seen the quality of Australian storytelling from 'Ten Canoes' all the way through to the likes of 'Kenny'.

If you liked this, then I thoroughly recommend you also see 'Last Ride' with Hugo Weaving.

To summarise, Beautiful Kate's dark subject matter is superbly crafted with technical and artistic skill that will lead you on a roller-coaster of emotion. Unforgettable. 10/10

Ned Kendall (Ben Mendelsohn) has come back to the family home with young wannabe actress Toni (Maeve Dermody) after 20 years of absence. He must come to terms with his dying father Bruce (Bryan Brown), and resolve the death of his twin sister Kate (Sophie Lowe). There he finds his sister Sally (Rachel Griffiths) dutifully taking care of their mean spirited father in their old crumbling farm that is soon to be lost to the bank. Much of this movie goes into flashback mode. It's a much more compelling story in the past due mostly to Sophie Lowe's enigmatic performance. The present story is much more depressed, and it struggles under the weight of buried anger. There is a mystery of the family's past. There are deaths not talked about. The present day needs some more energy.

I always enjoy good controversial "taboo' movies, if they are done right. And my list this week called form you guessed it, Incest! This will be only one of many films I watch this week, but my god, I hope they are all this good!!

First, I am not going to spoil anything for anyone. With that out of the way, I did not know what to expect from this Australian film. But my oh my. This movie had it all. It was titillating, wrong, and yet so right at the same time. Had great characters and cinematography. The editing was spot on. Probably going to be my go to showcase how to do flash backs. Seriously well done!! It hit all the emotional cues as well. And left you depressed and hopeful at the same time.

By the end I felt drained of emotion, the final minutes leading up to the credits are hard hitting.

If your not to turned off by the 'incest' markings of this movie, I highly Recommend watching it. You will truly not be disappointed.

Beautiful Kate is a slow paced drama, with not much action but an overwhelming and disturbing story that will keep you interested for the entire movie. It's the acting that makes it all worth the detour. Ben Mendelsohn, Sophie Lowe, Bryan Brown and Scott O'Donnell made this unusual story watchable even though the plot will disgust more than one. Good job from Rachel Ward portraying this most dysfunctional family.