MOVIE REVIEW … THE LOVED ONES

 

It’s a brave Australian film-maker that attempts something different.  While the local industry makes fine dramas, anything else seems to be frowned upon by more snobbish critics who decry that we ‘shouldn’t be doing that sort of thing’.  So it’s cheers to director Sean Byrne who thumbs his nose at these elites by producing an enticing horror/comedy combo.  Although it doesn’t always work, The Loved Ones at least shows Aussie films don’t have to be dour to be worthy as it magnifies its frantic escapades.

When Brent (Xavier Samuel) meets Holly (Victoria Thaine), it is love at first sight.  Willing to do anything for her, he ignores the advances of Lola (Robin McLeavy) and chooses Holly as his date to the school prom.  Lola’s infatuation ensures Brent will never make it when she kidnaps him and holds him hostage.  With the assistance of her deranged father (John Brumpton), Lola’s reign of terror turns her from a potential home-coming queen to a tiara wearing devil.

Compared to other horror films The Loved Ones isn’t very unique.  We’ve seen many of its elements before from the Saw series, Carrie and Misery amongst others with the feeling of familiarity heightened.  When contrasted with the current run of local films however, it’s a breath of fresh air as it has fun with its material.  Whilst it suffers from poor exposition – a trait afflicting most recent Australian movies – it makes up for with visual flair and stylish photography.

Like many in its genre it has its own strange moral compass.  Shown through Lola’s violent actions, her deeds mirror the polarising loneliness of her life with others who have their own issues of personal isolation.  Although this thread is somewhat crudely stitched together in the narrative, you can see what it wants to say amongst scenes of grisly torture.  Even then there’s that Australian renowned laconic humour as it serves up its horror in a humorous way others fail to capture.

The Loved Ones isn’t perfect but it makes a change from the glut of provincial dramas of late.  Daring to make something different shouldn’t be a scandal with this peculiar blancmange sure to find a local audience keen to view a more fiendishly robust home grown product.

Movie Review Rating 6 / 10

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

The Loved Ones released in Australia on Thursday 28 October 2010

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