SUMMER CODA

Friday night in a new town. No established peeps,little money. What to do... There is ALWAYS the DVD shop.
Id seen most of the new releases except for an Australian feature called "Summer Coda". The film is directed by newcomer Richard Gray and stars the delectable Alex Dimitriades and Rachel Taylor.
The plot revolves around a young American girl who returns home to Mildura for her fathers funeral. On the way she meets a second generation orange farmer.
A pair of star crossed lovers, I dont think so...
I must say I have never seen Rachel Taylor in anything but the headlines." Originally from Tassie she does most of her roles with an American accent that is bang on the money. (A little like our own Anthony Lapaglia)
Rachel is strikingly beautiful. Reminiscent of a young Ingred Bergman. She even manages to turn on a couple of tears when required. Unfortunately this seems to be the extent of it. The character of "Heidi" is one with ardent vulnerabilities. Rachel
addressed none of them.There was an opportunity for her to relish a broad range of emotions. She was out of her league.
Rachel Taylor,Stanislavski 101 as soon as you can!
As for my favourite Greek adonis, Alex plays "Michael". a man plagued by his past. A sweet natured soul who opens his house to Heidi but struggles to hand over his heart. Many other reviews have called his performance flat. I disagree. I think Alex has continued to hone his craft over the years. Here we see someone who began his career with a one dimensional "wog" character and is now adept at playing a broad range of characters with all their subtleties intact.
In "Summer Coda", "Michael" is constantly grappling with some aspect of his life. If its not his drinking problem; its his indecision over whether to bang "Heidi" in the bath or not.
Richard Gray was trying so hard to make a love story like Scorcese's " Age of Innocence". A precise film that showed how the touch of a hand can be so much more powerful than any sex scene could ever be. Unfortunately "Summer Coda's" script was long and boring. I was praying for some rampy pampy to liven things up a bit. No such luck.
I now realize I only saw the film two days ago and have now forgotten most of it.
I must applaud the hairy Angus Sampson for his portrayal of fruit picker "Frankie". A lovable lout who cant seem to get lucky with the ladies,try as he might. I hope to see much more of him in the future.
BTW do we have any other 50 plus women besides Jackie Weaver to cast as the mother/grandmother? Who nominated this women for an oscar?
Dont they realize she is playing the same character over and over and again?
I've always thought Australian film and theatre needs to take more risks with its casting. Im sick of always seeing the usual suspects. There are perfectly good acting schools out there churning highly accomplished performers who need a job!
Do it.
Richard Gray,your a little green but Im sure we will hear from you again.
Over and out.
Jax