Unfortunately good Australian feature films are very few and far between these days, with the glory days of the 70's seemingly only a distant memory. A few years back, Wolf Creek revived Aussie movies and really set the benchmark, however as true form showed, movies to follow it never really reached the levels that could sell internationally.
That is until These Final Hours came along. WOW! What an experience! One that I was totally not expecting and found myself caught off guard.
Nathan Phillips plays a very arrogant and self indulgent young man, traveling to a party to see in the end of the world which is approaching in 12 hours time. Things are complicated when he saves a young girl from two thugs and learns that she is trying to find her family. With no other option, he takes the girl on a trip, trying to steer clear of trouble, but in a world that is facing certain doom, trouble is very easy to find.
If there were any doubts about the ability of Nathan Phillips as an actor, then I think those doubts will be squashed after his performance in this movie. Such a raw portrayal of a horrible situation bringing out the best in a seemingly horrible person. The performance of the young girl was also admirable and I am sure we can expect bigger and better things from her in the future.
The violence and sex is there but never overdone. Instead it focuses on how people act in a dire situation. Some good, and some crumble! Some truly heart wrenching scenes that will immediately be compared to the American film "The Road" which I was also a big fan of.
HOWEVER, I am going out on a limb here and saying that THESE FINAL HOURS is indeed a better film than the brilliant THE ROAD.
Go and see it !!! This has revived my hope for Australian Cinema for the future!
That is until These Final Hours came along. WOW! What an experience! One that I was totally not expecting and found myself caught off guard.
Nathan Phillips plays a very arrogant and self indulgent young man, traveling to a party to see in the end of the world which is approaching in 12 hours time. Things are complicated when he saves a young girl from two thugs and learns that she is trying to find her family. With no other option, he takes the girl on a trip, trying to steer clear of trouble, but in a world that is facing certain doom, trouble is very easy to find.
If there were any doubts about the ability of Nathan Phillips as an actor, then I think those doubts will be squashed after his performance in this movie. Such a raw portrayal of a horrible situation bringing out the best in a seemingly horrible person. The performance of the young girl was also admirable and I am sure we can expect bigger and better things from her in the future.
The violence and sex is there but never overdone. Instead it focuses on how people act in a dire situation. Some good, and some crumble! Some truly heart wrenching scenes that will immediately be compared to the American film "The Road" which I was also a big fan of.
HOWEVER, I am going out on a limb here and saying that THESE FINAL HOURS is indeed a better film than the brilliant THE ROAD.
Go and see it !!! This has revived my hope for Australian Cinema for the future!