Alexandra's Project

I have to say, I'm a bit confused by the responses of so many people to "Alexandra's Project". Enough Australians have gone to see it for it to be one of the only art-house films in my living memory to make it into the Top 10 at the Box Office, but no-one really seems to like it, with the exception of a few critics. In fact, when I came out of the cinema after seeing it, I heard one woman say, "That was a really bad movie." And this intrigues me - in what way is this a "really bad movie"? I can understand that very few people will enjoy it. I personally cannot say that I did. But as to its technique, construction, delivery etc., how can you fault it? The only explanation that occurs to me is that audiences are so alienated by the material that they can't notice a) Gary Sweet and Helen Buday's amazing performances, b) tight direction, c) brilliant sound and film editing and d) eerily effective cinematography. Perhaps Australian audiences don't like to be provoked in this kind of way, and I can see how that could easily be the case. "Alexandra's Project" is a feel-bad movie to end all feel-bad movies. It makes "Leaving Las Vegas" look like "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood". But does that make it a "really bad" movie? Some have actually criticised the material for being mundane - I REALLY don't understand that. Rolf de Heer has come up with a phenomenally complex and thought-provoking story, which, with the benefit of an amazing cast and very skilled technical crew who don't seem at all affected by what was a ridiculously low-budget, has been made into one of the (technically) best Australian films in years. If you don't want your films to be challenging, then don't bother - you'll hate it. But if you DO go and see it, try to accept it for what it is, which is an unpleasant but brilliant film that will give you food for thought for the next year.

That being said, I don't think I could ever watch it again, and probably couldn't bear to watch a film that I thought would be anything like it. It's impossible to come out of with your emotions at all intact.

Objectively speaking, ten out of ten. Congratulations Rolf. But in terms of audience enjoyment? Impossible to assess. Just watch it for yourself and see.

This film is certainly not for everyone. If you loved `Lantana', then you might be ready for Rolf de Heer's `Alexandra's Project'. My late-20's son recommended I see this. His summary was that it simplifies and summarises a very complex issue - this issue of sexual politics between men and women within long-tern relationships.

This film is not meant to be realistic. It is meant to confront and to shock and to anger the viewer. Your response to this film will tell you everything about yourself, but little about the film. I consider it a rare work of genius. But it is obviously not for those looking for a nice night's entertainment.

Recently on `Big Brother 4' in Australia one of the young female evictees mentioned to Gretel Killeen, the host, that she hadn't removed all her clothing whilst showering in the BB house because her boyfriend had asked her not to, and she wanted to respect his wishes. Killeen replied with, `But it's your body, and it's your choice as to what you do with it.' The 22-year-old (who'd entered the BB house to `find herself'!!!) said `No, I wouldn't like it if the situation were reversed and he took off all his clothes.' This film is for girls like that!!! Unfortunately, the point would be lost on girls who believe that their boyfriends have ownership of their bodies. They would find this film boring and pointless.

For this reason, I feel that this film perhaps only speaks clearly to those - like myself - who have a personal experience of the issues it raises. Watch for the brief moment when Sweet's character fast-forwards through the tape when his wife begins to tell him - obviously for the umpteenth time!! - how unhappy she is. He says, `Yeah, yeah, heard it all before.' That moment was a concise metaphor for their relationship. Yes, the outcome is extreme, but it's not meant to be a skip and a dance down reality road.

See it if you dare.

I have never sat through a more gut wrenchingly horrid and frustrating film than Alexandra's Project. You'll be stuck in a cramped room with a crazy woman ranting about her hang ups with sex on a video for the better part of an hour.... pray your remote still works and that you can eject this before you throw something through your television.

Yes, this movie is probably the height of sickness. And it probably should be rated <R> instead of <MA15+> But it was kind of interesting. This is a female revenge type movie, but not your typical thelma and louise. Most of the film is a video that the wife has taped, which some find tedious but it puts a bit of a spin on it. The greatest irony in the movie is that the husband works for the Australian psychological society but has not picked up on the fact that his wife is suffering acute depression. DO NOT TAKE KIDS WHO ARE UNDER 15 TO SEE THIS (unless you really don't care about censorship, which i don't but i'm just warning the general public). But if you don't mind an interesting flick which is based on a bad marriage and a screwed up housewife, then you may enjoy it.

An ambitious film, which continues in the tradition of De Heer's fearless tackling of issues which began with the confronting "Bad Boy Bubby". Despite "Alexandra's Project's" interesting premise, the film fails to sustain emotional impact on the viewer, thanks to the scant nature of the plot. In what boils down to be one woman's tirade against her partner's sexual aggression, this film is so heavily weighted towards her own perspective, the viewer is never emotionally complicit, because the film fails to deliver a full and realistic portrait of the marriage. We briefly witness the family's interaction, but after that, we are left to consume Alexandra's bitterness - and believe it.

Gary Sweet delivers a raw and emotional performance, and Helen Buday as Alexandra is polished and convincing. Her character, however, is two dimensional, and, by the end, the viewer is left in a state of not caring about her actions. Add to this Alexandra's unbelievable and unjustified final torment, and you are left with a film which had a fantastic concept at its core, but sustains only a mildly successful delivery.

For a good De Heer film, get "The Tracker", which is more subtle, and a more accomplished piece overall.