By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Justin Kurzel
Starring: Anthony LaPaglia | Caleb Landry Jones | Essie Davis | Judy Davis | Phoebe Taylor | Sean Keenan
Country: australia
Year: 2022
Running time: 112
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13694628/reference/
Diane says: “NITRAM is a tough film. I’m grateful that I was told hardly anything about it by the friend who recommended it. It’s the story of a misfit, a depressive young Australian man whose parents try hard to make life bearable for him. A highlight for me was Judy Davis’ perf as the mother who suppresses any anger and sadness—I haven’t seen Davis for years and she is just terrific here. I’m adding her to my nom list, not sure what else, perhaps lead, director, movie… I was only disappointed by the overuse of music toward the end, and by the director’s post-ending message about societal problems. 4 cats.
“Not recommended for viewers who can’t take grim and tense.”
Peg responds: “I quite liked this film, though agree it can be hard to watch at times. The performances are amazing. I like the earthy, mundane details, which stand out powerfully when one realizes how the timeline is closing in on the main character’s final deadly actions.”
Michael says: “NITRAM is one of those stories that tries to examine the events leading up to an horrific act and try to make sense of behavior that seems incomprehensible. Based on the events that took place in the 1996 Port Arthur massacre on Tasmania, the film follows the awkward, lonely Nitram living with his Mum and Dad with few friends and fewer social graces. He gets involved with an eccentric, older woman of mansard breaks from his parents somewhat stifling home but is never able to mature, whether due to neglected mental illness, or environmental factors, which the film, fortunately hints at but doesn’t try to use as an explanation. The film is dark for sure, but compelling viewing, made especially powerful by performances from the magnificent Judy Davis as Nitram’s Mum, Caleb Landry Jones (THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE OF EBBING, MISSOURI; THE FLORIDA PROJECT; GET OUT), as Nitram, and Essie Davis (THE BABADOOK; THE JUSTICE OF BUNNY KING), as his eccentric friend, Helen. 4 cats”
Brett says: “Just reviving this mid-September review from Diane, which is right on the money right down to the superfluous info titles before the credits crawl at the end of the film. Despite that, it’s still quite the hidden gem: a buried treasure, one might say. If you’re squeezing in screenings for possible nominations, you’ve got two fantastic acting performances in this one.”
Michael responds: “Agreed, Brett. I was drawn to this film, not because of the subject matter, but because Judy Davis has long been one of my favorite actresses. She doesn’t disappoint, nor does the film. Very understated, yet impressive.”
Peg responds: “Essie Davis is also great in this film, albeir in a smaller role. Loved it, very disturbing yet often dreamy and beautiful. Caleb Landry Jones and Judy Davis are superb.”