By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Monica Zanetti
Starring: Bridie Connell | Julia Billington | Marta Dusseldorp | Rachel House | Sophie Hawkshaw | Zoe Terakes
Country: australia
Year: 2021
Running time: 82
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10353866/reference
Michael says: “No one blends silly comedy and heart-rending tragedy like the Australians. In the great tradition of MURIEL’S WEDDING, ELLIE & ABBIE (& ELLIE’S DEAD AUNT) surprises when it’s slight, somewhat innocent comedy takes a sharp turn into a devastating look at truth and humanity. School Captain Ellie is trying to find the courage to ask her classmate, cool-loner, Abbie, to the formal. Luckily her Aunt Tara, a lesbian who died in the 80’s has shown up as a Fairy Godmother to dish out advice, whether Ellie wants it or not… and she most assuredly does not. With the feel of a teen, high-school comedy, Ellie clumsily tries to interact with Abbie, even as she comes out, somewhat disastrously, to her mother. There’s also sympathetic Aunt Patty, mom’s best friend, and also a lesbian, which makes Ellie wonder why things are so difficult for her and her mother. Ellie doesn’t appreciate Aunt Taras appearance, or her advice, which she claims is woefully old-fashioned, and things are different now, yet somehow each interaction with Abbie, despite the fact that the two admit they like each other, seems to be driving them further and further apart. When Abbie gives a school presentation that reveals something shocking to Ellie, we get that sharp turn into some heavy emotion, that ultimately leads to the film’s revelation and satisfying finale.
“While the characters are broadly drawn for comedic appeal, all the actors do a great job, especially when things turn darker. Ellie and Abbie, Sophie Hawkshaw and Zoe Terakes, respectively, bring an earnest energy that works well for the film. Terakes identifies as nonbinary transmasculine, and is a vocal advocate for their community, and that comes through in their performance as well. Marta Dusseldorop and Julia Billington, both well-known in Australian TV, bring depth to Mom and Aunt Tara, especially when the tone shifts from the comedic to the dramatic. And it’s always great to see Maori actor Rachel House (HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE; THOR: RAGNAROK; WHALE RIDER) as Patty. It may seem a bit fluffy to start, and overall, it’s a fairly light-hearted comedy, but in true Australian fashion, watch out for the feels when the emotional twist hits. 4 cats