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Praise
R2 - United Kingdom - Crabtree Films Review written by and copyright: Jon Meakin (21st June 2011). |
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The Film
 The first half of Praise was very good indeed. It was a typically Australian comedy of melancholy irony, beautifully directed in a naturalistic laid-back style, with great characters. If Danny Boyle was making films in Australia, they’d probably look like Praise. Unfortunately it loses momentum before the last act, becoming pointless at best and selfish at worst. By the end, I couldn’t escape the feeling of, “is that it?”. I’d wanted more from it, but it is still worth seeing. The story follows Gordon (Peter Fenton), as he gives up on his job and feels aimless. He meets up with Cynthia (Sacha Horler), another of societies rejects and they embark on a very casual relationship. Cynthia suffers from terrible eczema and has a sex drive even more rampant than her rashes. Gordon is asthmatic, yet he smokes a great deal and really isn’t very good at the whole sex thing. Somehow they click, especially over Scrabble! It’s bizarre, but great fun and sweet natured, rather at odds with the copious amounts of sex and occasional drugs which almost make it a farce. It’s brilliant writing with a great cast of characters (especially Gordon’s neighbours) and director John Curran has a wonderful naturalistic tone, supported by Dion Beebe’s striking photography. As with any relationship, the novelty wears off and they start to struggle to keep things going. So does the film. It isn’t as if there is a change of pace, it just seems to get bogged down and proceedings become turgid, going well past the threat of farce and into something else. The story is apparently semi-autobiographical from writer Andrew McGahan and it shows, because it becomes too centred on Gordon. Things seem to happen to Cynthia for the sake of it, without depth or challenge, simply to force Gordon into a corner. I didn’t like that, but maybe you will. Fenton and Horler had both been excellent and to be fair, Fenton is committed to the end. But poor Sacha seems helpless, straddled with a thankless role by the end. That said, it has a unique tone and we need more dramas that are as confident with real humour and real lives as Praise is. I just wish it could have rounded it off more satisfyingly.
Video
This full-frame 1.33:1 release is a good, consistent image throughout. The film has a moody, smoky look and contrast could be a bit stronger to give it credit.
Audio
English Dolby Surround 2.0 only, but clear. No complaints. There are no alternative tracks and no subtitles though, which is frustrating. Note that the case does mention subtitles, but I couldn’t find them!
Extras
Aside from scene access, none. Some insight to the story would have been welcome.
Overall
A half-hearted release for a film that would have benefited from a better presentation. It’s a delicate film that could have been boosted by well-placed extras.
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