SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

Let's be realistic.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

It takes a while before this film becomes interesting. The introduction of the characters could be shorter and I almost thought that is was a very mediocre film. At the end the rhythm of actions speed up and the dramatic resolution of the story is all right.

. I did my best to like this film, and it has many good things. A reasonably tight script, a good smoldering performance from Ben Mendelssohn in the lead, fine supporting performances from Andrew Gilbert, Susie Porter, Tony Barry, Kris McQuaide and Belinda McClory, rugby league, nice countryside, stark, open, beautiful cinematography, and even a decent theme; what is there at the heart of the Aussie soul? Well, mullet is a pretty dull fish, and this celebration of it, if that's the right word, just wasn't entertaining. The film even at 90 minutes dragged. Some contrived drama at the end came to nothing. The characters were understandable, if not likeable, but it really just amounted to pointing the camera at a group of country people and saying `tell us about the hollowness of your lives.' It is partly redeemed by a reasonably upbeat ending. It was like a film school piece made by someone with 10 years experience in the industry. It may have some resonance with Australians who have good attention spans (especially residents of Kiama), and is pretty to watch, but mullet like to swim in shallow waters, which this film never leaves.

Spoilers herein.I expect to be one of the few North Americans to see this Australian production as I cannot imagine it being released here. I saw it a block from the Opera House during a visit to Sydney, and found it self-referential in that way where the form of the film reflects its content.The content involves (mostly) poking fun at a particular type of rural Australian town. It exploits limited provincial vision and superficiality. But it itself has limited provincial vision and superficiality. And the relationship between layers is wholly unintended and artless.The sister gives a good performance.

Mullet, mullet, in the river, Are you a getter or a giver? Will you lose your best mate, Because you don't appreciate; And offend another chum, Simply 'cos you can't stay dumb? When you feel you're out-of-water, Maybe it's 'cos then you oughter - Say or do something caring, Instead of being slow and wearing. But maybe you're not only one Who can't communicate by tongue. It's a fault of everybody, Not just of a fish we see as oddy. Especially so between the sexes, We often do that which vexes. So fishes all, let's swim as a shoal, Let's have a heart, let's have a soul; Then even if we silent be, Love conquers all eventually. * * * * * Mullet is a very ordinary fish, Which some folk think is a tasteless dish; Others may not really mind, But perhaps they're only being kind.