The Rooster

Going in I had no real idea what to expect as I avoided reading the reviews and I will watch any movie that Hugo Weaving is part of as he has rarely disappointed me, this was no exception.

A rather depressing and slow unusual movie that most will not get or like. Being very slow you really need to watch the whole movie to get anything from it at all.

I would describe this as a man movie and it seems like a realistic take on life. Life serves up some nasty surprises and some really nice surprises, this one gives us a few of both.

I particularly liked the relationship between the two main characters and there were no loose ends with a satisfying ending.

Not a movie to watch if you are depressed.

A tough one to review because you know it's not going to be a box office hit.

Watching it, though, I was thinking how long it had been since I'd seen a real character piece. You know, I mean something that wasn't just quirky or dark or subverting expectations. This was a character piece of old. This was staring into the abyss (this is a Wall Street reference). It's a tale for those who've walked with the black dog, been at society's fringe, and/or at some time been a pariah of the community - not a pillar.

I hate to say that it's probably a men's film because I'd surely not want to discourage the inquisitive minds of the fairer sex from having a look. Nor would I want to restrict the universal themes of the movie to a select audience.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film written and directed by Mark Leonard Winter. An amazing performance by Phoenix Raei and Hugo Weaving. The film touches on mental health issues as well as the loneliness that many people face. To me It inspired many emotions which change throughout the film. The policeman played by Phoenix. Raei was outstanding and highlighted the stresses and mental issues that some police officer may be subject too. Hugo Weaving's performance was brilliant. I loved the film setting and the cinematography. The sound editing was amazing with a special mention to the excellent work by the foley artist whose work was outstanding.

I'm not a feminist and I believe men deserve to have their stories told but I found this to be a tedious journey trying to explore the minds of broken men. The exploration itself is at the pace of a snail, I found myself and my girlfriend looking at our phone because many of the scenes just were too quiet that nothing was really going on. I love quiet and poetic cinema and always applaud the use of restraint in storytelling, especially not to over-indulge with so many film-making trickery and camera angles.

This film did not tell a story well, instead it indulged itself with men behaving like boys and a chance for an esteem actor such as Hugo to have fun and act like a fractured, naughty little boy.

The other actor seemed to play it very calm, but I felt his presence was not quite there.

I didn't know what this film was about, maybe I wasn't paying attention, maybe it wasn't clear enough or maybe I'm just not intelligent enough.

It seems to be a theme in Australia where directors like to mimic other styles of Aussie storytelling, it's the tedious and horse-flogging style of really dragging it out.

As they say boys will be boys.

"The Rooster," starring Hugo Weaving and directed by Mark Winter, is a cinematic gem that I was lucky enough to see it at MIFF. Hugo Weaving's performance is exceptional. He effortlessly embodies the complex character, bringing depth and authenticity to every scene. Mark Winter's direction is a revelation. He masterfully navigates the narrative, creating an atmosphere of suspense and intrigue that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The pacing is spot-on, and Winter's ability to capture the essence of each moment is truly remarkable. His visual style adds an extra layer of depth to the film, making it a visual treat.

The Rooster's screenplay is equally impressive. It weaves a compelling story filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it impossible to predict the outcome. The dialogues are sharp and thought-provoking, adding layers of complexity to the characters and their motivations. The cinematography was also a real standout for me!