A prisoner is released and returns home to his girlfriend. Daniel P. Jones and Leanne Letch are these two characters playing themselves. They are not professional actors and their performances are stilted. Nevertheless, there is incredible intimacy between them and the dialogue has genuine realism and credibility.

Daniel starts looking for work and has good intentions. He wants to avoid the earlier life that lead him to prison. They meet up with friends at a local club which leads to minor conflict. He has an accident at work and is not able to continue with his employment. He meets up with an old friend and there is a sense that his situation is deteriorating.

Up until this point the film is engrossing and a wonderful character study and love story. There is a tragic event and the director, Amiel Courtin-Wilson, tries to display Daniel’s torment through blurred and shaky images and a rasping discordant soundscape. There are scenes of horrific violence which for many people will be hard to watch.

This film has some tender and memorable moments but it also has tedious and meaningless attempts to describe feelings and emotions in a non-verbal manner. If it had clicked it could have been brilliant cinema but I found it disappointing after such a promising start.

The cast includes Leanne Campbell, Daniel P Jones, Tony Markulin and Jerome Velinsky.

© Mark Pigott

9th November, 2012
Tags: Sydney Movie Reviews- HAIL, Sydney Arts Guide, Mark Pigott, Amiel Courtin-Wilson, Leanne Campbell, Daniel P Jones, Tony Markulin, Jerome Velinsky