Wow, Just Wow: A Rediscovered Classic
Why had I never heard of this film? And why has it been unavailable on video in the States?
Sure, the premise of nature turning on man isn't a new one, but it's handled here with style, economy, character-driven narrative, and a fair helping of the kind of mysticism that puts it in league with Walkabout, Picnic at Hanging Rock, and The Last Wave. I would say it completes the quartet of Australian cosmic mystery films.
Superficially, Peter and Marcia go through their camping trip with unspoken resentments over something -- infidelity, abortion, mutual contempt. But is that just a macguffin? Is there really a larger, deeper sense of guilt buried in the Australian subconscious?
I watched it twice.
There, daddy, do I get a gold star?