Coming of age films aren't exactly new to cinema. It's a subject that has been revisited in every generation, ever since James Dean helped Hollywood discover a new species – the teenager.
Although 1955's "Rebel Without a Cause" probably wasn't top-of-mind when John Duigan made "The Year My Voice Broke" in 1987, the alienation, emotional confusion and search for identity felt by many teenagers provides a common theme even if separated by three decades, different stories and different continents.
With its nostalgic narration, slow pans of the landscape and soaring strings on the soundtrack, "The Year My Voice Broke" could have been cloying; instead it is captivating. It gets you in and keeps you there thanks to inspired casting, an unusual setting, and a seductive mood – thanks in no small part to those soaring strings.
The story revolves around three teenagers living in an Australian country town in 1962, Danny Embling, Freya Olsen and Trevor Leishman, played by Noah Taylor, Leone Carmen and Ben Mendleson.
Danny narrates the story. He is in love with Freya, a girl who has lived her whole life in the town, but is treated as an outsider by many of the townspeople. Freya sees Danny as a friend, but has stronger feelings for the rebellious Trevor. Eventually Trevor gets into trouble with the law – and also gets Freya into trouble – a tough situation for a girl in a country town in 1962. Danny discovers the reason why Freya is treated as an outsider, and Trevor's wildness and criminal tendencies cause tragedy. Freya departs never to return, leaving Danny with memories of a love that was never returned.
This poignant film shows Duigan's understanding of his teenage characters; their lack of sophistication, their loyalties, the conflicts with their peers, and the pressures they face in a small town.
However, the film really hangs on Leone Carmen's performance. Nicole Kidman was considered for the role but Leone Carmen was chosen. While Nicole Kidman is the epitome of a movie star, Leone Carmen projects an almost opposite quality. Attractive, but with not so perfect teeth and hair she is refreshingly natural; almost too real, she gives life to the role of the tomboy developing into a woman who does not quite fit in.
Noah Taylor shines as the awkward 15-year old who knows that he will never win the girl he is obsessed with; he looks unhappy in just about every scene and we feel his pain. Ben Mendelsohn's Trevor, the catalyst for much of the action, is an unappealing youth with a reckless streak. Freya is drawn to Trevor's sense of danger. But Mendelsohn overdoes Trevor's mannerism, especially the affected laugh – less would have delivered more as it does in his calmer scenes.
Vaughan Williams' "The Lark Ascending" is one of the most emotive pieces of music ever composed. Originally written for the concert hall, it was an inspired choice for the film – it's really Danny's theme, capturing his anguish and, as the music swells and soars, his eventual acceptance of things he can't control.
This movie has a unique quality. Where it could have been overly sentimental, it projects honesty instead. Like all movies that really matter, it stays with you.
Although 1955's "Rebel Without a Cause" probably wasn't top-of-mind when John Duigan made "The Year My Voice Broke" in 1987, the alienation, emotional confusion and search for identity felt by many teenagers provides a common theme even if separated by three decades, different stories and different continents.
With its nostalgic narration, slow pans of the landscape and soaring strings on the soundtrack, "The Year My Voice Broke" could have been cloying; instead it is captivating. It gets you in and keeps you there thanks to inspired casting, an unusual setting, and a seductive mood – thanks in no small part to those soaring strings.
The story revolves around three teenagers living in an Australian country town in 1962, Danny Embling, Freya Olsen and Trevor Leishman, played by Noah Taylor, Leone Carmen and Ben Mendleson.
Danny narrates the story. He is in love with Freya, a girl who has lived her whole life in the town, but is treated as an outsider by many of the townspeople. Freya sees Danny as a friend, but has stronger feelings for the rebellious Trevor. Eventually Trevor gets into trouble with the law – and also gets Freya into trouble – a tough situation for a girl in a country town in 1962. Danny discovers the reason why Freya is treated as an outsider, and Trevor's wildness and criminal tendencies cause tragedy. Freya departs never to return, leaving Danny with memories of a love that was never returned.
This poignant film shows Duigan's understanding of his teenage characters; their lack of sophistication, their loyalties, the conflicts with their peers, and the pressures they face in a small town.
However, the film really hangs on Leone Carmen's performance. Nicole Kidman was considered for the role but Leone Carmen was chosen. While Nicole Kidman is the epitome of a movie star, Leone Carmen projects an almost opposite quality. Attractive, but with not so perfect teeth and hair she is refreshingly natural; almost too real, she gives life to the role of the tomboy developing into a woman who does not quite fit in.
Noah Taylor shines as the awkward 15-year old who knows that he will never win the girl he is obsessed with; he looks unhappy in just about every scene and we feel his pain. Ben Mendelsohn's Trevor, the catalyst for much of the action, is an unappealing youth with a reckless streak. Freya is drawn to Trevor's sense of danger. But Mendelsohn overdoes Trevor's mannerism, especially the affected laugh – less would have delivered more as it does in his calmer scenes.
Vaughan Williams' "The Lark Ascending" is one of the most emotive pieces of music ever composed. Originally written for the concert hall, it was an inspired choice for the film – it's really Danny's theme, capturing his anguish and, as the music swells and soars, his eventual acceptance of things he can't control.
This movie has a unique quality. Where it could have been overly sentimental, it projects honesty instead. Like all movies that really matter, it stays with you.