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Reviews
Slapface (2021)
A roller coaster ride of emotions
I am rewatching Slapface with grief stricken eyes due to personal circumstances, it has made the film so much more potent.
Slapface is a film about a monster in the woods, grief, remorse, belonging, bullying and emotional abuse. All I knew about the film when going in was that a boy creates a dangerous relationship with a monster in the woods, plus the riveting poster. Boy, was that an understatement. Go in not knowing much about the film and travel along the emotional journey it takes you. It is a roller coaster ride of emotions. Which by the way has one of the best end songs I have heard in a while, kudos to Curtis Braly for Turn Down The Voices, who also turns up as a nurse in the film. It is a masterpiece. Also a good written piece about bullying at the end, anti-bullying is one of the major messages the film is about. It is an emotive subject and this film will give you plenty to talk about afterwards.
The film has a sterling cast but the star is certainly August Maturo as Lucas. For someone so young he gives such a compelling performance and certainly has what it takes to mesmerise you in the role. August is totally believable as the grief stricken Lucas who befriends a monster in the woods. Which of the characters is a real monster though? That is the question as you watch the characters unfold.
The role of Tom was in more than capable hands with Mike Manning. He acted the role perfectly. In fact I think the casting was spot on. A shout out to Bianca and her twin sister Chiara D'Ambrosio as the bullying Donna and Rose, they came across as perfect villains, very well acted. Mirabelle Lee as Moriah was someone you might be shouting at during the film due to the character's choices. Mirabelle came across extremely well and was an asset to the production. Libe Barer as Anna was brilliant and give great support to the rest of the cast.
Last but not least, Lukas Hassel as The Monster, and what a monster indeed. Totally terrifying makeup and effects. Superbly brought to life and I would so love to know more about where the rumours of the monster in the woods came from, I need a prequel.
I absolutely adore Slapface and it has already become my favourite of 2022, it will take something special to overtake it for me. Sit down, watch the film and be prepared to be emotionally drained by the end. Thank you to Jeremiah Kipp, the cast and crew, for bringing this film to life.
The System (2016)
Thought provoking and emotionally charged
I went into the film without knowing much about it. I was already emotionally fractured, due to a major bereavement, but boy did I not realise how grief stricken and bereft I would be by the end of the film.
The film is about Martin McMillan, played so majestically by Jamie Vergan, who is made redundant and then things just get from bad to worse. I won't go into too much detail about what he goes through, but it is a roller coaster ride to beat all roller coaster rides. We go through all the emotions with him as he tries to obtain employment for the sake of his family, and his sanity.
Just when you think things are getting better it looks like Martin had opened Pandora's Box instead of his final pay cheque. There is emotion from all angles coming into the fore, from tears to laughter to outright fear.
There will be comparisons to I, Daniel Blake but I must admit, I much preferred this film. It contains even more raw power for me. I understood exactly where Martin was coming from as I have experienced some of what he was going through.
I spent the end of the film in floods of tears with the utterly compelling storyline and the effect of Martin's actions, which damage more than he could have wished for.
Please watch the film and decide for yourself, me, I adored it and put The System firmly into my favourites. The acting is superb by everyone, especially from the main man himself, Jamie. Australia has produced some amazing films, and this is definitely one to watch. Be prepared though, if like me you will need a big box of hankies to wipe the tears away by the end of the film, whether they are because of joy or devastation I will leave you to watch the film to find out for yourself which it is. Well done Eddie Arya, you have excelled yourself.