Remember that feeling you got when you saw the Aussie film ‘Somersault’ for the first time – that feeling that you had seen a film that was genuinely beautiful? Well, now prepare to get that feeling again as the end credits roll on ‘Summer Coda’. Not only does this script work remarkably well but the film portrays Victoria’s Riverina area as a place of true beauty, and this is one film that will win you over straight away.

 

Heidi (Rachael Taylor – ‘Cedar Boys’, ‘Deception’) leaves her home in America to travel to Australia to be present at her father’s funeral. On arrival in Melbourne she hitchhikes to Mildura and it is during this journey that she meets Michael (Alex Dimitriades – ‘Wog Boy 2: The Kings Of Mykonos’, TV’S ‘Rescue Special Ops’), a young orange farmer. When she finds that her father’s new family, led by his new wife, Angela (Susie Porter – TV’S ‘My Place’ & ‘East West 101’) aren’t that happy to see her she decides to stay with Michael. Here she meets fruit pickers Frankie (Angus Sampson – TV’S ‘Librarians’ & ‘Spirited’), Joey (Nathan Phillips – ‘Quiet’, ‘Balibo’), Ella (Cassandra Magrath – ‘Wolf Creek’, TV’S ‘The Pacific’), Miklos (Daniel Frederickson – ‘Closed For Winter’, ‘Ten Empty’) and Monty (Pacharo Mzembe – ‘Kind Of Man’, TV’S ‘False Witness’) who each in some way help her learn something new about Michael.

Director Richard Gray (TV’S ‘The Phone’) has to be one of Australia’s most-promising Directors. ‘Summer Coda’ is his first feature film yet he has managed to create a film so beautiful it deserves to be mentioned with films such as ‘Somersault’ and ‘Picnic At Hanging Rock’. There is no unnecessary dialogue and he even manages to tell a simple love story without falling into the trap of clichés (although I must admit the ‘running through the Orange Orchard’ scene does go mighty close). His script is different, nothing just simply falls into place, and while locals may notice some small discrepancies, as a whole this is a fine script that really works.

This is the film that Alex Dimitriades has deserved to be in for many years now. We have seen his exceptional talent in films such as ‘Head On’, but he was been wasted in guest roles on TV shows in recent years, so it takes a film like ‘Summer Coda’ to remind people just how good he is… now if only overseas Directors would realise the same thing. Up-and-comer Rachael Taylor continues to impress, this grouped with her performance in ‘Cedar Boys’ should be enough to silence those who continually knock her… it does seem that Australia has unearthed another genuine female talent. Young actor, Pacharo Mzembe also deserves a mention, because although his role his small he is a real standout.

‘Summer Coda’ is one of the most beautiful Australian films ever made. It maybe slow in parts but that is easily to overlook as the characters are well crafted and the main story works. A great little Aussie sleeper that left this critic impressed.

Year: 2010

Director: Richard Gray

Stars: Rachael Taylor, Alex Dimitriades, Susie Porter, Angus Sampson, Nathan Phillips, Cassandra Magrath, Daniel Frederickson, Pacharo Mzembe

Classification: M

Runtime: 108 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

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