SOUTH SOLITARY

PEPE'S VIEW:


This film written and directed by Shirley Barrett had so much potential and the acting of Miranda Otto (and her dad, Barry) was very real and the character of Meredith was cleverly and sensitively portrayed by Otto.  However, the film didn't quite reach its potential.  I am not sure why - the cinematography, although unobtrusive was first rate, the plot was interesting and the situation in which the characters found themselves was intriguing.  After some thought, I think that the reason is in the script.  There are too many scenes which are obviously set up simply to allow the characters to indulge in exposition.  The scene where Meredith had afternoon tea with the only other woman on the island is a perfect example of this - far too much speaking and not enough showing!
Meredith arrives with her uncle on South Solitary who is to take over the command of the lighthouse.  Of course the two lighthouse assistant keepers treat these newcomers with suspicion and when one of them , Harry, (played by Rohan Stanley), so easily seduces Meredith, his wife reports their indiscretions to the head lighthouse keeper who sends Harry and his family from the island in disgrace.  Eventually the two unlikely characters of Meredith and the other assistant keeper, Fleet, ( Martin Csokas) are thrown together to run the lighthouse during a ferocious storm and of course true love blossoms although Fleet is reluctant to commit to this woman.
All in all a potentially good movie that just didn't quite satisfy this member of the audience.

My Score:  7/10

Yes, this movie has many satisfying features, not least being the wonderful environment of the isolated island off Tasmania where the lighthouse is situated.  Here, life strips away all protective, civilised coatings until the raw essence of the person is visible.  It either makes or breaks people and some don't survive the process, like the previous keeper who "topped himself".  If they arrive already damaged, as did Meredith and Fleet, then who can tell what may happen - the emergence of these two characters is fascinating to watch.  What a pity that there is far too much script - it's a MOVIE for heaven's sake! so much can be suggested by camera work.  As a result, far too much time and importance is given to the minor characters, Harry and his family, who are not central to the plot at all.  Their role in the overall movie could have been achieved much more economically - and in any case the wife needed to be far more jaded and bitter than the beautiful Essie Davis.

Miranda Otto, on the other hand, creates a wonderfully sensitive, wounded heroine, mysteriously here on the island with her uncle, put upon by him, always anxious to please, hungry for affection.  We wonder why she allows him to treat her as he does until we learn her secret sorrow. At no time does she lose our sympathy, nor does the unlikely "hero" Fleet, a returned soldier, clearly suffering from post-traumatic stress (a condition not recognised at the time).  Barry Otto is excellent as the uncle/head lighthouse keeper - funny I did not think about the fact that he is her father in real life until writing this review!

A very good movie which could have been excellent!

My Score:  7/10