MovieChat Forums > Beautiful (2009) Discussion > I wanted to like it...

I wanted to like it...

posted 15 years ago by collingwood_sucks001
7 replies | jump to latest

I just finished watching this, and, it was okay, but that's it really. I really do try to support the Australian film industry so when i heard about this i was quite exited, it sounded good on paper. But the whole film just felt it was lacking substance, and felt like it was dragged out to long.
The acting i thought was pretty solid, but all in all i was hoping for much more.
What did other people think?
I think you should go and see 'Acolytes' instead, a much better Aussie film, it also has Sebastian Gregory in it too.

[–] DarkSunshine 15 years ago

I totally agree, was really looking forward to this and it was a bit of a letdown. Has its moments for sure and looks gorgeous, but the story is pretty simple and obvious. After a good first half hour, it sort of just collapses and you're waiting for the characters to catch up and figure out what the viewer has already guessed.

Did enjoy Deborah Lee Furness' little voiceover at the end though, pretty much the perfect ending to a so-so movie.

[–] Moody2008 15 years ago

Liked this movie, it was sort of a weird style of movie. I think it copied American Beauty in some scenes and the type of the movie was mostly the same. Anyway a great effort and i am surprised to find out it's an Australian movie. Great for them, they have some really good actors there.

[–] FrankRizzo1 14 years ago

I loved this movie and cant understand why anyone would give this movie a one in doing so i gave it a ten though it really should of been a 7. I loved the ending.

[–] fibrecementVHS 14 years ago

Sorry dude, the ending was the worst part for me- like to say she was responsible for it all- or complicate shomehow- which is sort of true- but she was hardly in the film and didn't really make an impact- i get the point of the Vo but thought it might have been better off with someone else closer to the story. Maybe more VO throughout?

[–] voiceofsilence 14 years ago

It was doing well, but the final quarter of the film seemed to have missed something that just couldn't be found to place in. So unfortunate.

[–] Orcca 12 years ago

I think you've got it all wrong. As you can remember the whole story about missing girls is supposed to an urban legend - a rumour. And who is the main gossiper in this town? Who "knows" everything about everyone and also has an oppinion about it? It's our lovely narrator - a judgemental and manipulative b*tch and her daughter is turning out to be just like her. She opens the movie with her story (where she keeps repeating: "I heard" = gossip) and her monologue finishes it. This is also the only way she can be responsible for the killings, but not commiting them herself.

I think these gossipry put the "sex offender" to jail and ruined his life. That is why he was so protective of his life and privacy. He wanted a new start, but Danny's snooping around was a threat to that, and he simply lost it. We know from before he was violent, but that's it.

Also I don't think any of them had anything to do with Danny's mother dying. It must have been a terrible experiance for his dad, so even after 14 years he still wasn't able to come to terms with it. That explains his cold and distant relationship with Danny and Sherrie. Could also be the main reason for his suicide.

The only thing that is still troubling me is the bracelet. I'm not quite sure where that fits in.

[–] lordofthelake 12 years ago

It all began falling apart the last third of the film. The various streams all led to a ridiculous, convoluted yet simplistic end.