Cut Snake (2015)

Australian movies of late have really been on the rise, with some great entries like "The Rover","The Mule", "Son of a Gun" and "Mystery Road", just to name a couple. And now this. Another very entertaining piece of film making with excellent acting all round particularly the powerhouse performance by Sullivan Stapleton. He really is the main attraction, and I still wonder why we don't see a lot more of him in American action-pulp. On the other hand, here he proves once again to be a great actor capable of a lot more than the gung-ho marine beats and shoots bad guys type he plays in the Strike Back series, so maybe a couple more of these great indie productions wouldn't hurt at all. Particularly check the guy out in the amazing "Animal Kingdom" by the director of "The Rover". In which he also plays a charged up volatile character even more perfectly. A highly recommendable movie.This doesn't reach that class, but definitely is in a class of it's own. I love the fact the movie plays out in the 70's including the perfect soundtrack and meticulous detailing. This combined with some great tension building, pretty shocking twists and confronting bouts of violence makes it a movie that stands out just that bit more than an average comparable US made production. 7/10

Just saw this film and it left me absolutely speechless. I did not know what to expect. A friend told me I had to rent this movie. She had just seeing it. She Saw. It kept me at the edge of my seat. This is one of the few film where I was actually rooting for the bad guys hoping that they would be able to work things out. Seek this film out. Get it, watch it. I can assure you after you have watched it, you'll want to own it. Bravo to the filmmakers, actors and all involved the story was well paced, drafted & executed. I will be adding this film to my personal collection. No other best way to describe this film other than a m a z i n g!

Cut Snake is the latest feature from Australian director Tony Ayers. I enjoyed his 2002 feature 'Walking on Water', and thought he was one to watch. Weaving between single dramas, mini series and feature films, Tony's latest Cut Snake is of interest for his name, and secondly for that of leading man Sullivan Stapleton. An actor on the rise, Sullivan has also been carving out a name for himself across different mediums, and he makes the most of his leading status, piercing the lens with his brooding frame and affect. It is at times a bold and shocking performance; one that elevates him, rightfully to leading status in this country. Alex Russell and Jessica De Gouw were both discoveries for me, and the former emerges with the more fleshed out and compelling character. It is beautifully designed and directed and an interesting interplay of genres and characterizations.

In many ways 'Cut Snake' is a wasted opportunity: it could have been a worthy social drama about how young men sent to prison cope with their prison history when they're out. Critical acclaim and award ceremonies would have followed. Instead, it's packed with macho violence, swearing and drag queens. So fewer filmsnob points, but probably more box office success.It's Australia (in the 1970s, judging from the outfits). Ex-con 'Sparra' (the personable Alex Russell) is going straight and working in a broom factory when an old mucker from prison, 'Pommie' (Sullivan Stapleton) turns up. Pommie quickly inveigles his way into the home of Sparra and fiancée Paula, despite the former's reluctance - it is clear there is some prison-based connection between the pair, a connection Pommie is determined will continue. Meanwhile, his violent tendencies come to the fore.Although it is fairly obvious early on what the connection is between Pommie and Sparra, this isn't explicitly stated until late in the film - meaning the viewer cannot be sure s/he fully understands Pommie and Sparra's motivations. But other aspects of the story rattle along at a fair old pace. As for the acting, Russell does well enough in portraying Sparra's confusion, but Stapleton seems so intent on channeling every one-note psycho who has ever featured on screen that by the time his big emotional scene rolls around it is hard to take him seriously. Still, caught as it is between the two genres of social drama and action thriller, 'Cut Snake' is an entertaining film and I would be happy to watch it again.