For a long time now we’ve known that Alkinos Tsilimidos (‘Em 4 Jay’, ‘Tom White’) is one of Australia’s finest directors, but with his new film ‘Blind Company’ he manages to outdo even his previous masterpieces. ‘Blind Company’ is a well-written drama that showcases some of Australia’s finest acting talent and could well be one of the finest films ever produced on Australian soil.
Geoffrey Brewster (Colin Friels – ‘The Book Of Revelation’, TV’S ‘Blackjack’) has moved into an isolated beach shack where he wants to spend his final dying days recording messages for his wife, Sally (Gloria Ajenstat – TV’S ‘City Homicide’ and ‘Canal Road’) and walking his dog. But his peace and quiet is broken when his nephew, Josh (Nick Barkla – ‘Em 4 Jay’, ‘Tom White’) arrives. The men’s relationship is testy at best and it could be the ruin of both of them.
If ‘Blind Company’ was an American film then the world would be screaming out for an Oscar nomination for Colin Friels; he steals the show as Geoffrey Brewster, a demanding role that this seasoned actor pulls off amazingly well. He is well-supported by one of Australia’s most under-rated actors, Nick Barkla, who you hope will become a prominent fixture on the Australian acting landscape. Together these two put in performances that mean any scene that they share together has an intensity that audiences rarely get to see anymore.
Visually ‘Blind Company’ is sensational. Through some wonderful cinematography Tsilimidos manages to make the film’s habitat an extra character in the film. He captures the Tasmanian scenery remarkable well, and the darkness of the weather matches the darkness of the story at hand. This time Tsilimidos is also the screenwriter and he managed to create a remarkable story that engrosses its audience and shocks you with some amazing twists and revelations… and if anybody can pick the ending then I’ll be damned.
‘Blind Company’ is Alkinos Tsilimidos’s finest work. His brilliant directional capabilities are further enhanced by a truly memorable performance by Colin Friels. ‘Blind Company’ is a masterpiece that reminds you just how good Australian cinema can be.
Year: 2009
Director: Alkinos Tsilimidos
Stars: Colin Friels, Gloria Ajenstat, Nick Barkla
Classification: CTC
Runtime: NA
Rating: 