By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Christine Jeffs
Starring: Aaron Murphy | Alicia Fulford-Wierzbicki | Alistair Browning | Marton Csokas | Sara Peirse
Country: new_zealand, united_states
Year: 2002
Running time: 99
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Details?0287645
Michael says: “All languid heat, foreboding skies and alcohol-induced haze, RAIN is a coming-of-age tale set in New Zealand that is well-acted, gorgeously lensed, but not all that creatively written. Based on the novel by Kirsty Gunn, there is very little new or original about a mother longing for her youthful sexuality at the same time as her teen-aged daughter is discovering her own. That still doesn’t prevent the film from being an enjoyable experience. With the Screening Room’s air conditioning on the blink, I felt like I was right there on the semi-tropical beach where the family lived.
“Thirteen year old Janey and her younger brother Jim, while away the summer hours as their parents marriage starts to wear thin. Both Janey and her mother, Kate, are taken by a roguish family friend, Cady. While Kate follows her sexual urges from drunken flirtations to infidelity, Janey practices her burgeoning sexuality first on a teen-aged boy who has a crush on her, then sets her sights on Cody as well. The resulting loss of Janey’s innocence is crystalized by another devastating loss that is telegraphed from very early on. Despite its emotional impact, it’s the biggest stumble of the story, and pushes the film into cliche territory.
“Still it’s well worth it for John Toon’s memorable cinematography, and the acting from all the family members. Fans of Peter Jackson’s HEAVENLY CREATURES will recognize Kate as Chlotrudis-nominee Sarah Peirse. Little Aaron Murphy as Jim is so realistically charming that he almost makes the movie himself.” 3 1/2 cats
Ellen says: “I also saw RAIN with Michael and Scot at the Screening Room in the midst of air conditioning issues. As Michael commented, it did help to transport you into the ambience of the film – languid and slow. I really enjoyed the mood of this film and the cinematography. There was a certain torpor that cast just the right note for the story. I won’t repeat the plot line, but I thought the girl who played Janey did a wonderful job of walking between the self-confidence and fear of adolescence. Sarah Pierse was also wonderful as the mother. Although he probably won’t get a nomination from me, I agree with Michael that the little boy who played Jim was just perfect – I remember noting at one point that he was behaving exactly as I would have expected
a boy that age to behave without appearing contrived.” 3 1/2 cats
Jeff says: “Other members’ remarks focused on this movie’s cinematography, and I would like to agree with those comments. What made RAIN memorable for me were particular shots: Liquor pouring in a slow, viscous stream, the shot that tracks Kate as she leaves Cady’s boat, and the magnificent framing of the foaming wake behind Cady’s boat, the sky grading from light to dark, and the disturbed water, spreading ever wider, foreshadowing the turmoil to come.
“Nobody else mentioned the sound track, which I enjoyed, particularly the party music. I wondered what Neil Finn had been up to lately.”
Laura says: “Sarah Peirse is searing in her portrayal of Kate. Slowly dancing about her living room to ‘Spooky,’ glass in hand, she’s fully aware of her effect and deigns to indulge Ed with a deep, sensuous kiss. Jealous of her daughter’s blooming, Kate makes surface efforts to be a mother and wife, but selfishly allows her own needs to obscure those of her family. Equally strong is Alistair Browning as the good guy who doesn’t say much, but lets us see the pain he feels, knowing his wife is drifting away. The look of utter adoration on his face as he watches his wife dance is palpable. The performance is similar to, although more aware and quieter than, Timothy Spall’s in INTIMACY. Browning more than anyone brings home the tragedy of the situation.” 4 cats
For Laura’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/rain.htm”
Robin says: “The adult themed story of RAIN makes this fare for more mature teens and adults, not the adolescent crowd that would be more attracted to, say, another recent coming of age film, SWIMMING. The issues of alcoholism, infidelity, cuckoldry, seduction, and responsibility are so many that this could have been a miniseries for television, where, I think, this melodrama belongs. As a film, it has a number of strong points, starting with the absolutely brilliant photography by associate producer John Toon. Toon’s eye for film composition is varied and artistic and it shows on nearly every frame of film, propelling the movie above its otherwise obviously low budget. He is a talent to watch.
“The raw talent of the principle actors helps, too, to elevate the family soap opera above the average. Down Under veteran actress Sarah Peirse (HEAVENLY CREATURES) gives an on-the-edge performance as Kate. Living, daily, under the haze of her constant boozing, she takes on a me-me-me attitude and brazenly pursues the willing Cady. She is so driven to bed the drifter it makes me wonder what the heck her marriage has been like to the amiable Ed. Fledgling actress Alicia Fulford-Wierzbicki also gives a strong perf as Kate’s headstrong, disapproving daughter Janey. She plays the child becoming a young woman very well, expressively showing her newfound understanding of the power her awakening sex can have. Little Aaron Murphy is absolutely charming and adorable as Janey’s kid brother Jim. Alistair Browning gives a gentle perf as the cuckolded father/husband. Marton Csokas is merely OK as the gigolo.” 3 cats
For Robin’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/rain.htm”