Jindabyne

Genre: psychological drama
Director: Ray Lawrence
Release: 2007
Studio: Film Finance Corporation Australia (FFC), Nomura Babcock & Brown Productions, Redchair Films, April Films
Rating: R
MBiS score: 8.2/10


Gone Fishing, Gone Wrong



The workweek has not ended yet but Stewart (Gabriel Byrne), Carl (John Howard), Rocco (Stelios Yiakmis) and Billy (Simon Stone) are already dreaming about the great fishing they’ll enjoy over the weekend. Escaping the daily grind should do wonders for the foursome… and then again, it might not. With Laura Linney (Claire, Stewart’s wife), Sean Rees-Wemyss (Tom, their son), Betty Lucas (Vanessa, Stewart’s mother), Leah Purcell (Carmel, a teacher and Rocco’s friend), Deborra-Lee Furness (Jude, Carl’s wife), Eva Lazzaro (Caylin-Calandria, Carl and Jude’s granddaughter), Chris Haywood (Gregory), Tatea Reilly (Susan) and Alice Garner (Elissa, Billy’s wife).

As far as wilderness movies go, DELIVERANCE will please the action fan, MEAN CREEK showcases the younger set and JINDABYNE appeals to adult audiences of both sexes. This Australian production may not be a ‘pure’ adventure film − for it spends a good deal of time on personal and family issues before and after that fateful weekend − and its meticulousness may try some viewers early on but, when all is said and done, Ray Lawrence’s film stands as a mature, realistic take on guilt, responsibility and misunderstanding in our plain, everyday world.

Robert Burns famously wrote that ‘The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry’ and JINDABYNE illustrates this fact of life with a frankness that rattles the conscience. For Stewart and his group, problems at home will be compounded by what happens on the other side of the mountain, new issues will arise and relationships will sour; even their long-awaited encounter with nature will seem creepy and hostile at times. Facing the unexpected and uncovering truths you never imagined, especially ugly ones, can infect your mind not for a day but for a week, a year or the rest of your life. Gender issues are also raised in JINDABYNE and we all know how potent and divisive they can be.

Whatever the genre, a movie is a collaborative work and, in JINDABYNE’s case, the result of many strong efforts. Beatrix Christian’s screenplay, which is based on a Raymond Carver short story, opens with a flush of intriguing snippets and, generally speaking, paints a rich and observant portrait of ordinary lives. Ray Lawrence, who brought us LANTANA, a film of similar ambitions, shows tact and patience in directing JINDABYNE’s complicated story. On screen, his acting team delivers solid turns, particularly Laura Linney. Production values, for their part, are satisfying throughout.

You have surely noticed how life can alert you to what’s ahead though you scarcely realize it at the time. Such a moment stands out in JINDABYNE, on the Friday night before the big outing, as the guys are sharing a meal with their ladies in a restaurant. When Billy acknowledges his love for Elissa, you will hear this curious exchange (quoted from memory):

- Carl: You’ll see, Elissa. Billy is leaving home a boy and he’ll return a man.
- Elissa: I want him to return as he is now.
- Jude: You can’t be sure… with those perverts.

Was it a sign of things to come? I do believe it was... but don't take my word for it. See JINDABYNE, a deceptive and ultimately haunting experience in cinema and in life.


MBiS

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