It’s a big call to make but I believe ‘Blessed’ has to be the best film in Ana Kokkinos’s (‘The Book Of Revolution’, ‘Head On’) career to date. Why is it a big call? Because as a general rule Kokkinos simply doesn’t make bad films. It is films like ‘Blessed’ that remind you just how good Australian films can be.
‘Blessed’ is a group of stories all put together. A marriage disagreement between Tanya (Debora-Lee Furness – ‘Beautiful’, ‘Sleepwalking’) and Peter (William McInnes – ‘My Year Without Sex’, ‘Prime Mover’) sees Daniel (Harrison Gilbertson – ‘Accidents Happen’, ‘Australian Rules’) accused of theft. He decides that if he’s going to be blamed for it he may as well be doing it. For Stacey (Eva Lazzaro – TV’S ‘The Elephant Princess’, ‘Underbelly’) and Orton (Reef Ireland), life on the street is better than being at home with Mum, Rhonda (Frances O’Connor – ‘Three Dollars’, TV’S ‘Cashmere Mafia’) and he boyfriend (Ditch Davey – ‘Under A Red Moon’, TV’S ‘Sea Patrol’). Not even the support of Gayle (Tasma Walton – TV’S ‘City Homicide’, ‘Sea Patrol’) can help them. Meanwhile desperate mother Gina (Victoria Haralabidou – TV’S ‘Home And Away’, ‘The Informant’) believes her runaway son, Roo (Eamon Farren – ‘Lucky Country’, TV’S ‘All Saints’) is dead, she doesn’t even notice that her daughter Trisha (Anastasia Baboussouras) is out shoplifting with her friend, Katrina (Sophie Lowe – ‘Beautiful Kate’, TV’S ‘All Saints’). Katrina’s mother, Bianca (Miranda Otto – ‘In Her Skin’, ‘Schadenfreude’) certainly doesn’t notice; she is too busy gambling. But perhaps the most list is James (Wayne Blair) who doesn’t fit into either the black or while fella worlds.
With this amount of characters and stories going on you could be forgiven for thinking the film may become a mess… but it certainly doesn’t. Kokkinos entwines the stories wonderfully well and her usual gritty style of directing only enhances this dreary urban drama.
The other amazing thing about ‘Blessed’ is the caliber of the cast. They come out all guns blazing; even the young cast members aren’t over-awed by the stars around them. Having said that the standout has to be Frances O’Coonor with a performance that deserves to attract awards… even an Oscar.
‘Blessed’ is so powerful that some elements of the film will stick with you for a long time. With some amazing original music, brilliant acting performances and Kokkinos not holding back we are treated to an amazing film with a strong social comment.
Year: 2009
Director: Ana Kokkinos
Stars: Deborah-Lee Furness, William McInnes, Harrison Gilbertson, Eva Lazzaro, Reef Ireland, Frances O’Connor, Ditch Davey, Tasma Walton, Victoria Haralabidou, Eamon Farren, Anastasia Baboussouras, Sophie Lowe, Miranda Otto, Wayne Blair
Classification: CTC
Runtime: 113 mins
Rating: