Drown (2015)

I really enjoyed this film; If "enjoyed" is the right word.... I think it must have been really hard to play for the actor who played Len, when it all comes down to it, he is a VERY, VERY, SAD man. In the scene when len is sitting on phil's bed and he says "it's like a metaphor" if I was phil I would have continued the convo by saying "you know, I think that's the most intelligent thing you have EVER said......." I also think more could have been made of len's feelings about his dad, it was briefly touched on near the end but not really dealt with, also when len is about to be abandoned by meat, meat doesn't really help him by re-assuring him that it will be OK, he just continues to act really dumb, but I suppose that's in meat's character, he knows how to be a best friend but he can't do anything else! but apart from those things I think it was a cool film and very disturbing.

I assume the low average score for this title is due to the difficult and realistically portrayed subject of sexual confusion stemming from paternal abuse. Matt Levett, as Smithy, does an impressive job conveying the internal turmoil of a conflicted young man. The editing of some key scenes was awkwardly done, adding confusion about time lines. But Levett's acting maintained my interest. He carries the film.I appreciate the film's ability to make sexy Smithy's dysfunctional sexuality stand out against the upbeat backdrop of a bustling gay entertainment district. This was an intelligent element. Less intelligent was the overly prolonged beach scene toward the end of the film. After a while, it had the flavor of bad soft pornography, while too subtly touching upon Smithy's victimization (presumably by his brutal father) which he appears to be acting out with Phil. Phil's passivity hints at his own possible history of sexual abuse. The use of the Meat character as more neutral observer wasn't really effective.

If you are into low self esteem, self loathing, masochism, homophobia, alcoholism, hideously mean spirited abusive overly self indulgent psychotic self destructive dudes - then this is your movie! There is no story! You just follow some real fck'd up dudes around on the beach, bar hopping, getting laid, getting drunk and fighting. That's it! There is NO story! From the very start you know Len and buddies have no life and should be on anti-psychotic medication! Each one wants to be the macho dude and they about kill each other to prove it.A waste of time and if you watch the whole thing you will feel sick, stupid, and wish you had NOT watched it. Excuse me while I vomit!

So completely knocked out by the direction, acting, filming, editing, music, the whole package. I'm 73 years old, worked in the film industry and have to say it's in the top ten Aussie films I have ever seen. I mean that. It's quintessentially Aussie. I know all the characters, worked with them, trained with them, been close to them, have known them, have seen their doubts, their tears, their unrequited love. So much pain has been thrown at us in this film. It's a testament to how hard it is for Aussie males to admit to themselves what their mates truly mean to them. I quietly showed this film to two lifeguards who both ended up in tears when we talked about it. They thought that the theme would relate to any sport, job, workplace or school in Australia. It may become a sleeper, it may become a cult but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. This film is worthy of more than one Aussie award.