80%
10 Reviews
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100%
Fewer than 50 Ratings
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Audience Member
It's quite a shame this Australian film has limited release in cinemas & most likely will be missed by many Australians but it is an important & terrific drama.
The story of Lynda an 11 year old girl who is sexually assaulted by her teacher at her Toowoomba Prep School & everything is ignored & swept under the rug.
The film follows her trial & struggle for justice & recognition for what happened to her. Although a low key film performances where good & the film was genuinely engaging throughout. Hopefully more Aussie's will get behind this film.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/31/23
Full Review
Audience Member
This movie is a must see. It focuses on Lyndal, the main character, and the longterm effects of her abuse, rather than sensationalising the abuse itself or the pedophile who perpetrated the abuse. The story is told with sensitivity and compassion. Sara West, who plays Lyndal, is brilliant in what would have been a demanding role. Aden Young is good as Lyndals lawyer and Jack Thompson does a reasonable job as the barrister. I found this movie to be deeply moving and we all need to celebrate the courage that people, like Lyndal, demonstrate in surviving the incredible evil that is child abuse. I really encourage you to see this move.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/27/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Don't Tell: Sara West gives an Oscar-winning performance as Lyndal who was sexually abused when she was 11 years old by her housemaster at a boarding school in Toowoomba, Australia. She courageously brings an action for damages against the Anglican Church in 2001. Clearly suffering from PTSD, this 22-year-old ploughed on refusing to compromise.
Professional film reviewers have suggested the film is 'static', 'polite', 'lacking sizzle', 'too cautious' and 'earnest'. I disagree. There was no need for flamboyance or extravagant camera angles. Lyndal's story was the focus point and Tori Garrett, the director, obviously understood that.
There was anger simmering below the surface, glances between the characters that needed no words. There were attempts of holding back incriminating evidence by the school authorities and pressure to bully the plaintive into accepting piddling damages.
Lyndal stood firm but justice can be elusive and the jury's verdict unpredictable.
The pacing was just right, the editing unobtrusive, the acting excellent and the director's decisions spot on. The movie held my attention to the very last frame. 5 stars from me.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/15/23
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Richard Kuipers
Variety
Its deep compassion and intelligent examination of an especially terrible type of injustice will win the day for many viewers.
May 20, 2017
Full Review
Luke Buckmaster
Guardian
It feels a little too staid, a little too formal, a little too safe.
Rated: 3/5
May 18, 2017
Full Review
David Stratton
The Australian
It's a thoughtful, quietly shocking film, beautifully made.
Rated: 4/5
May 15, 2017
Full Review
Jason Di Rosso
The Final Cut
Don't Tell is two films, in a way. The film it is and the film it could have been. To its credit, the distance between the two is sometimes not much at all, but it never completely disappears.
Nov 20, 2017
Full Review
Sarah Ward
ArtsHub
Don't Tell's fates are as firmly entwined with its leading lady as they are with the real-life story at its core.
Rated: 3.5/5
May 26, 2017
Full Review
Vicky Roach
Daily Telegraph (Australia)
The film belongs to Sara West, who is clearly an actress to watch.
Rated: 3.5/5
May 24, 2017
Full Review
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