One More Shot

Saw One More Shot at MIFF with absolutely zero expectations... and wow, did it surprise me. What I assumed would be a quirky little comedy about time-travelling tequila turned out to be full of heart. I genuinely felt for these characters - and left the cinema a bit sad, but in that best possible way where you're reminded that life is really a collection of messy, beautiful moments that make it so full.

It's a story about how imperfections shape us: growing up, owning up to mistakes, and discovering those fleeting perfect moments in the chaos. Emily Browning anchors it with real ferocity, and it's always a joy to see Aisha Dee - phenomenal as ever and such a radiant presence on screen.

MIFF has a way of throwing up unexpected gems that linger long after the credits roll - and this was definitely one of them.

From Australia comes this charming comedy directed by Nicholas Clifford, starring the always charismatic Emily Browning, accompanied by a cast that includes Sean Keenan and Ashley Zukerman.

Using time travel, this film oscillates between a light romantic comedy and a story of self-discovery. It's a decent film, with a plot that works thanks to the charisma of its cast and a protagonist who carries the entire weight of the plot on her shoulders. Although it doesn't add anything new to what we've already seen, the script's pacing and certain personal nuances of the protagonist make it a fairly enjoyable and lighthearted entertainment that avoids boredom, although it doesn't manage to excite too much either.

It's a solid tour de force in a film that works in many ways and demonstrates good intentions from beginning to end. The protagonist's journey toward maturity and learning to value life are elements that envelop this story in a simple film that at times seems like it might take a bigger leap, but it sticks to its noble intentions.

For fans of the genre, a satisfying and entertaining proposal.

It's New Year's Eve, 1999, Minnie discovers that her bottle of Tequila transports her back to the beginning of the night every time she takes a shot. She has until the end of the bottle to change the course of her millennium.

This was a simple and charming time-loop film. The actors were all great & enough was changed each time Minnie relives the night to keep it an entertaining watch. Also, the soundtrack was absolutely banging, pure 90s nostalgia.

If you're in the mood for a lighthearted comedy drama, I'd definitely recommend checking out One More Shot.

It is New Year's Eve 1999. Dr. Minnie Vernon (Emily Browning) is having a bad day. She reluctantly goes to a party with her uni friends. There are more bad turns. At midnight, she takes a drink and goes back in time at the door coming into the party.

I like that Minnie has a myopic focus on Joe. She is a bit unhinged and selfish. The story is not necessarily original, but this has some good spins on the Groundhog Day idea. Emily Browning is great. She's both hot and needy. Some people may not like her character. I get that, but I see the comedy in it. This is a good bit of fun.

The fun premise and kitschy throwback setting fooled me; I saved this one on my Stan watchlist and was let down in the opening birthing scene which was badly acted and horribly written by a writer who no doubt has seen too many 90s romcoms and not enough Aussie films of the same genre/era.

A 90 minute easy watch is desperately needed in the Australian feature landscape and *this* is what we got? Browning isn't a strong comedic actor however it's got to be the writing that lets her down here. One liners that would be fine in a 30 minute sitcom but flounder in this format are drowned out by an cringey sappiness that drags throughout its entirely.

It looks like a film shot today pretending to be set 25 years ago and given its (almost) one location setting, you would have thought the budget would have stretched far enough to look like it was convincingly set in the late 90s. I don't care that her career and personality traits are at odds, I just wanted a funny film with a smidgen of charm. And what I got is another reason to believe the Australian film and television industry is being controlled by those who don't know how to staff good talent behind and in front of the camera.

Added an extra star because the soundtrack was good, even though the dialogue around 'Coco Jamboo' was factually incorrect.