Praise (1998)

Director:

John Curran

Writers:

Andrew McGahan (novel)
Andrew McGahan (screenplay)

Release Date:

22 April 1999 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Sex and drugs in BrisVegas!

Plot:

An unfocused twentysomething (Peter Fenton) moves in with a former co-worker (Sacha Holder), who is...

Plot Keywords:

Sex | Eczema | Male Nudity | Woman On Top | Buxom

Awards:

8 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Peter Fenton	...	Gordon
Sacha Horler	...	Cynthia
Marta Dusseldorp	...	Rachel
Ray Bull	...	Vass
Joel Edgerton	...	Leo
Yvette Duncan	...	Molly
Gregory Perkins	...	Raymond
Loene Carmen	...	Cathy
Skye Wansey	...	Helen
Richard Green	...	Dave
Lynette Curran	...	Sexual Health Worker
Susan Prior	...	Sophie
Paul Lum	...	Darren
Fiona Mahl	...	Darren's Girlfriend
Damon Herriman	...	Skinhead

Runtime:

Canada:98 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

UK:18 | Australia:R | Hong Kong:III | New Zealand:R18

Company:

Emcee Films

My idea of a perfect story

Storywise, this film is perfect. Seriously, this is more or less the exact story i wish movies told. I don't know why there aren't more movies like it, really. Not only is it by far my favorite "twentysomething mopey slacker" movie (the only good one, really), but it ranks up there in the tragic love story department as well. Unfortunately, in terms of actual "filmmaking" the story isn't really done justice, although it's not so bad that it really weakens the film significantly. The cinematography and so on is competent but never really inspired. Pretty bland (some nice lighting though at parts). And the pace and tone are somewhat uneven, particularly towards the beginning. The film starts pretty choppy, narratively speaking, and at first it goes way too fast. Eventually it settles into a good groove though and towards the later part of the film the pace has adjusted itself comfortably. It also focuses tone-wise as the film progresses. At first the tone is a little haphazard and there are some attempts at cuteness and quirkiness that don't go over so well. The soul of the film is clearly a drama and not a comedy, and the director seemed to realize this part of the way through. But it's safe to say that overall the moments of greatness far outweigh the few awkward, misdirected moments. And in any case, i like the story enough that it can carry almost anything.