Predestination (M)
Starring: Ethan Hawke
IT’s a science fiction film about a gender-bending time cop.
And it’s a symptom of everything that’s both right and wrong about Australian films.
Buckle up, this one’s going to get rocky – it’s hard to know where to start.
Predestination is the tale of a foundling, Jane, who knows she is meant for more in life.
An ace academically and physically, she seeks to join the Space Corps, but is ultimately recruited into a more shadowy government organisation that polices time travel.
Hang on, we’re only just starting.
To reveal more would ruin the plot, but suffice to say the acting is excellent, the script is top notch, it’s got a B Grade American star, the cinematography is great, and the production values are so high that it looks like Hollywood product.
And I’m the only person in Melbourne going to see this film for two reasons.
The first of these is, how in the hell do you describe and market this film?
And the second is, even if you could market it, they spent all the money on making a great film, so there’s $2.50 left in the budget for marketing, anyway.
That said, go and see it. It’s joined the other great, edgy Australian films this year like These Final Hours and The Rover – no-one went to see them, either.
– Jason Beck
