Drown

This is a very important film as it puts the the ugliness of homophobia firmly under the microscope. Fantastic performances by Matt Levett (in particular), Jack Matthews and Harry Cook keep this piece moving along, aided by razor sharp direction by Dean Francis (who also DoP'd the film). It's hard to define this film - it's original. Shot on a mini budget around the beaches of Sydney and the seedy night spots of Kings Cross, the film is edited (also by Francis) is a montage style which works well, and suits the subject matter and feel of the film. The best way to describe it is as 'a ride'. As an audience, one is challenged, terrified, ashamed, enlightened and enthralled - but best of all, one comes out of the screening changed, and thinking deeply about what you have just seen. Seek it out. Highly recommended.

The most cinematic looking Australian film I've seen, considering it was dirt cheap to make that just shows the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the filmmakers to keep us engaged and not get wound up on the little things. The film is shot in an unconventional, hypnotic style similar to (good) Terence Malick films and contains moments of nightmarish surrealism. The audience is successfully implanted into Len's mind state, with his nihilistic viewpoints burrowing under our skin and confronting us with the messy, confusing playground that is life. The absurdness and harmful elements of the idea of masculinity (bullying, peer pressure, risk taking behaviour) are hurtled towards us like asteroids, like all the memorable films, it doesn't cutely slip in its message with smugness but delivers it with sledgehammer force. The film is ugly, unpleasant, and unflinching, but that is exactly the point of it so those really can't be used as complaints. If it made you sick, it has done it's job. Homophobia is not a cute issue and should never be treated as such. There are sprinkles of dark humour in it too for those who need a bit of relief, but you won't have much time to breathe, it will pull you back in before you can. If you want to challenge yourself and your viewpoints, give it a watch, make sure it's on a big screen too.

The violence . It seems the only theme and easy to define it as pretext for a non story film, in which the punches, hate, vulnerability as root of terrible angry are the only pieces.

But Drown is about what lives under violence. Experiences, need of respect, appreciation and love, the friendship as refuge and the toxic but so familiar manner to define yourself as man. Sure, a significant aspect is homophobia , in many forms . But the great thing is just the fair performances of main actors and the realism created by discontinous telling.

A film about vulnerability and thirst of affection more than about violence itself.

Strong acting and good-looking shirtless lifeguards running around in speedos cannot redeem this sadistic mess of a film.

I didn't need to see this. No redemption, growth or meaningful message here. You already know there are sick people out there that take their personal issues out on others with cruelty and abuse ...but do you really need to see it? I found this similar to watching someone slowly torturing their adoring loyal dog.

If you want to see some hot guys and a quick penis shot; simply watch some internet porn instead! You won't feel so empty, upset and emotionally drained afterwards.

If you are into low self esteem, self loathing, masochism, homophobia, alcoholism, hideously mean spirited abusive overly self indulgent psychotic self destructive dudes - then this is your movie!

There is no story! You just follow some real fck'd up dudes around on the beach, bar hopping, getting laid, getting drunk and fighting. That's it! There is NO story!

From the very start you know Len and buddies have no life and should be on anti-psychotic medication! Each one wants to be the macho dude and they about kill each other to prove it.

A waste of time and if you watch the whole thing you will feel sick, stupid, and wish you had NOT watched it. Excuse me while I vomit!