WITH OR WITHOUT YOU

Australia, 2024, 114 minutes, Colour.

Melina Vidler, Marta Düsseldorp, Albert Mwangi, Dustin Clare, Martin Sacks, Celine O'Leary.

Directed by Kelly Schilling.

The basic story for this film is based on the life experiences of the writer-directors, Kelly Schilling.

This is very much a South Australian film, a road film, the highways and byways of South Australia, towns, homes, caravan parks, whole range of scenery…

And, it is a mother-daughter film, tensions between the two, the focus on the young girl, Chloe, her growing up, her eventually leaving home, dire experiences in the city, her being rescued by a migrant from Africa, suspicions of him, but eventually relying on him.

Melina Vidler plays the daughter, Albert Mwangi is engaging as the African. But, with Marta Dusseldorp in the cast, it is not surprising that she dominates the film, wild at times, seriously alcoholic, defiantly exuberant, many times impossible.

So, the film is a study of characters, their interactions, dependence and independence, love and difficulties in loving. There are some strong supporting characters including Martin Sacks, previously in the relationship with the mother, caring for the daughter, their going back to rely on him and his help. There is also the caring aunt and, passing stranger, the Cowboy, who brings in a sexual element.

Much of the behaviour of the central character is exasperating but, realising that is what life is like, the audience will be living in hope for the irresponsible mother, for the put upon daughter – and the relationship with the gentlemanly African.

1. The opening, the birth, Chloe and her mother, bonding, the interdependence? The title?
2. South Australian setting, the city, the towns, the countryside, caravan parks, orchards, Homestead’s…? The musical score?
3. Chloe’s story, her birth, with her mother, growing up, the departure of Stevo, mother and daughter dancing, Chloe leaving home, unwilling, her mother’s urging?
4. Two years later, Chloe, in the street, battered, the man and his aggression, Dalu watching, his punching Dalu, taking Chloe away?
5. Chloe, her age, with her mother, her mother’s alcoholism, tantrums, the bath, laughing? Pat, her aunt, angry? The decision to leave? Chloe getting the car, her friend, his support?
6. Dalu, playing the drums, in the street, Chloe and her missing the bus, sitting, remembering, his memory? His attitude, back story, student, visa, the arranged marriage and the wife taking the money, his search for jobs, the photo in his wallet, Chloe’s suspicions, the final story of his identity, name, financial support of his sister-in-law, promise to his brother?
7. Chloe and her hesitations, unwilling to trust, always suspicious? Dalu, agreeable? Travelling together, the meal, the assailant, coming to the caravan, setting it alight, her money being burnt?
8. The time on the road, friends, meals, her mother? Going with her mother, the scenic route, the car broken down, Chloe attacking Ddalu, his walking away, the spending the night, his returning, moving the car?
9. Dalu, the prospect of a job, going to the address, the angry woman, their driving away? Stevo, relationship with Chloe, the past, welcoming them, accommodation, food?
10. The relationship between Dalu and Chloe, the attraction, her suspicions, the sexual encounter, the consequences?
11. Sharon, her age, experiences, depending on Chloe, the clashes with Pat? Driving away, her tantrums, on the scenic road? The bar, her encounter with Cowboy, the bonding, her leaving? Going to Stevo, the past, the sexual encounter? Her anger, leaving?
12. Pat coming to her rescue, taking her away, the issue of letting Chloe go, Cowboy, his visits, her collapse, hospital, running away, breaking the alcohol bottles, Dalu finding her, saving her? Urging Chloe to go? With Cowboy, dry?
13. Chloe, the clash with Dalu, Stevo, the passport, the information, his leaving? Her finding him, the words of her mother, the bond with da loo? His wise words, her future?