Displaying items by tag: JoAnne Brechin

PAPER CHAMPIONS

Australia, 2020, 85 minutes, Colour.

Luke Saliba, John Tui, Gary Sweet, Tessa de Josselin, Kaarin Fairfax, Genevieve Morris.

Directed by Jo-Anne Brechin.

Divided opinions on this small Australian film. Many finding it slight, silly, boring. However, the majority of bloggers seem to enjoy it, the lightheartedness, a sense of humanity and humour.

The central character Rey (Luke Saliba who co-wrote the screenplay) ponders greatness, his father’s hope for him as a wrestler, the influence of his mother (Kaarin Fairfax) and her attachment to the next door neighbour, Gary Sweet, toughness, posing for the mother’s painting, challenging and encouraging Rey.

However, Rey works in a photocopier shop, mid-20s, timid, awkward, wanting to please, influenced by his boisterous co-worker, Wade, (New Zealander John Tui, featured in many New Zealand and American films and series, Star Wars, Fast and Furious, Shortland Street). Wade is forever quoting Mana, for spirit of masculinity, taking Rey to the company dance, both with pink suits, trying to train him to dance, eventually Rey’s bursting out in quite a routine.

Then there is a nice assistant at the medical centre, Rey trying to please her.

Eventually, after some misadventures and light comedy, Rey moves more out of himself, some training with wrestling, his mother and her relationship, Wade and his support, going to the wrestling bout – and being instantly knocked out.

Filmed in Geelong, a small piece of Australiana.

KILLER WHALE

Australia/US, 2026, 89 minutes, Our colour.

Virginia Gardner, Mel Jarnson, Mitchell Hope, Ron Smyck..

Directed by Jo-Anne Brechin.

With its very straightforward title, there are comparatively few surprises as we watch this brief action adventure.

Killer Whale was filmed in Brisbane, with an initial setting in a city which could have been American or Australian (and co-stars Virginia Gardner, American, sounding Australian while Mel Jsrnson, Thai-Australian, has an American accent). But the main action takes place in Thailand, the Andaman Sea islands, an enclosed lagoon but broad, craggy outcrops and the beach.

There is initial interest in Orcas, in captivity, not killers in captivity, but the presentation of an orca held for entertainment. It appears, then, that it has escaped but is trapped in the lagoon, someone then saying that it still feels entrapment even though it is now free in the sea.

For a while, the film focus is on the relationship between cello student working in a takeaway, Maddie, and her supportive boyfriend. Then there is a robbery at the takeaway, fight, the thief fleeing, the boyfriend reassuring Maddie then struck by a car. A year later, she is still grieving and has given up the cello.

Then her best friend from long ago, Trish, persuades her to go on a holiday to Thailand, meeting an Australian-sounding man at a refreshment stall, and their going out swimming. Enter the orca.

It seems that the men are disposable and disappear from the action. For the most part of the film, the two young women are trapped on an outcrop, trying to save themselves, calling for help, getting some water, a attempt for some food. However, there is also unexpected drama in the revelations that the initial robbery had been set up by Trish in need of cash for her course!

Maddie upset, Trish trying to make amends, swimming to the shore, trying to enable Maddie to come to safety…

In fact, there have been many of this kind of film with two young women stranded on islands, underwater, on the top of cliffs, action shows which are rather undiscriminating in their style, designed and written for a popular audience all over the world.

ONE PERFECT MATCH

Australia, 2023, 87 minutes, Colour.

Merritt Patterson, Joshua Sasse, Lynn Gilmartin, Meg Fraser, Callan Colley, Charlotte Chimes, Claire Weller Price, Mitchell Bourke.

Directed by Jo-Anne Brechin.

A Date Movie. Literally. The title is that of a company that places people, dates and match, more personable than trawling a date site.

87 minutes of unremitting niceness. Not a harsh word, not a rude word heard throughout. Everyone and everything, even date meals which do not work out, is nice. Everything is “amazing” or “cool”. This is what a perfect kind of Hallmark movie portrays as a lovely world. Sweetness and light.

Lucy (Merritt Patterson) began and her manages her client-filled One Perfect Match Company, a matchmaker listening perfectly and arranging dates. Within minutes of the start of the film, she encounters Finn (Joshua Sasse), a charmingly reticent Clark Kentish type (with Superman potential).

We know exactly what is going to happen, love at first sight, but can the matchmaker date a client? Lots of references to ethical considerations and professionalism, despite the urgings of Ella, her sister, and her ever-ready assistant, Paige. Ella is about to be married – and lots of lovely coincidences concerning Chardonnay, a beautiful vineyard location for a wedding…

While set in the US, this is an Australian production, filmed in Brisbane, from the Steve Jaggi company which has specialised in this type of romance, sometimes Americans flying to Queensland and finding romance there. The leading character is a Canadian actress, the leading man English. All the supporting cast are Australian.

A nice and pleasantly undemanding film for Romantics who want to sit back, relax and be charmed.

1. , The company, Lucy and her work, meeting with Finn, the romance?
2. An Australian production, the Florida settings, international cast, Australian support?
3. A G-rated film, nice characters, no harshness, pleasant situations, positive outlook?
4. Lucy’s story, the company, the title, her clients, contact with them, learning about them, placing them with dates and matches, personal contact? Page as her support of assistant? Ella and her marrying? Ella concerned about Lucy not having dates?
5. The encounter with Finn, the restaurant, the Chardonnay, coincidences, his being a client, placing him with Molly, the tour of his building, the attraction, her professionalism, not dating a client, despite page and Ella? The coincidence for Ella’s wedding, the Vineyard, the visit, meeting his mother, the tour of the property? Continued meetings? The not-date for the ceremony? Learning that he was not a client any more? The wedding, happy ending?
6. Finn, reserved, his story, his father and business, his business studies, investments, successful company, clients? His father in Italy, his mother and the Vineyard? The visit of Lucy and Ella, showing Lucy the property? The date with Molly, her awkwardness, love for cats, his love for dogs, polite, breaking the match? The wedding, the happy ending?
7. The pleasant supporting characters, page of the office concerned about Lucy, Ella and her fiance, preparations for the marriage, the property and the site, the happy wedding? Finn’s mother and her gracious welcome? Molly, client, the pleasant break with Finn? Lucy and her dinner with Colin, not compatible, suggesting: two Molly?
8. Pleasantly undemanding?