Till Human Voices Wake Us (2003)

I had not heard of this film but picked it up on rental because Australian films are generally well-done; and the title suggested something similar to (the American film) What Dreams May Come. I was not familiar either with the poem from which the title is taken. So. I saw this movie as a "working out" of the guilt Sam felt at the death of Silvi. Helena Bonham Carter is perfectly cast as the imaginary Silvi who helps Sam understand and erase his guilt, which is hinted at in the first scene in the classroom when he asks his students about why people forget: the second answer is "repression" of painful memories. If you take note of that, then the other hints throughout the film are glaringly obvious, and lead to the final release. Overall, I think this film is full of forgiveness and liberation.

This movie is an under rated film that blends the past and present. It focuses on what is and what might have been, and what life would be like if we had the chance to correct our mistakes. Dr Sam Franks is a man who returns to his home town to bury his somewhat estranged father. On the way he rescues Ruby, an unknown woman who cannot remember who she is or why she is here. He takes her in, and she makes him remember memories he had tried to forget. We are revealed through painful, and sad flashbacks of terrible memories, what it is he had tried to forget. In the end it seems as though she was brought here, just to make him remember, so he could forgive and move on. A sad film, but beautiful at the same time. A line that would sum this film up would be - "She never was."

I can't understand exactly why this movie seemed so good to me. It doesn't have a very elaborated plot. But the movie somehow speaks to us.The way the director tell such a dense story is marvelous. Movies like this leaves us breathing deeply when it ends. You will fall in love for the characters, and pity them. The movie suffers from a certain lack of complexity. In some minutes you can easily understand what's happening (and, if you read the box summary, then you will get it in no time at all). Still, it's pretty, and adorable.The musical score is perfect. It draws us into the movie most of the time, and makes our hearth pounds together with the scenes.Till Human Voices Wake Us is a poem. Simply as that.

This film reminds me of a period in the Sixties when many "avant garde" films were produced that required that the viewer expend some effort of thought, while bringing a background of knowledge to bear, perhaps discussing afterward with friends,to explore a film which tries to expand your experience without limiting the ways it could be appreciated. I prefer this kind of film precisely because it does not hand me its interpretation in a neat little package, but invites me to discover it. Perhaps, after a hard day in the cubicle, a facile, louder adventure may be more entertaining. But when you have rested, go back and watch this film again! You may just be surprised.