Audience Member
I saw this when I was about 15 and it struck a chord with me, I also had to study the script later at uni. We watched it the other night and it is still a bloody powerful film with a no bullshit attitude. The plot is pretty grisly; a young girl is gang raped at a party then found dead a short time after, one friend witnesses the rape from a distance but does nothing (inner demons soon follow); the film addresses questions such as, what lengths do you go to to protect your mates and at what point do you grow up and take responsibility? The fact that this was originally a play based on true events only further adds to the impact of this story. It's Aussie to the core and you cringe at times from how Ocka the dialogue and situations are; the mother's Saturday night out on the town at the pokies a prime example. This is also the film in which Heath Ledger made his silver screen debut in a small albeit striking performance as Toby, and you can see his potential and natural talent even at this early stage in his career.
There are some areas where this film feels a little clunky and the amateur teenage acting becomes a tad annoying, but on the whole the performances are raw, passionate and entrancing. The soundtrack is fantastic, one of the best for an aussie film and the music compliments the film wonderfully.
It's not a masterpiece but it's real and I think Aussie teenagers should definitely watch this movie, even 11 years on the issues are still relevant. A humble film that packs a punch.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/09/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Hardly worth the effort.
And the most ridiculous thing is, nowadays, the only thing that sells this DVD is the quote on the front: "Heath Ledger's first film!" Quite sad.
Performed lacklustrely, filmed without care, and no attempt to act at all. The only ones worth mentioning would be John Howard and Linda Cropper, who play Jared's (Laurence Breuls) mother anf father. They at least evoke a little life into their characters. Simon Lyndon, who portrayed Jared in the stage production of Blacrock, was downgraded to Ricko, in a very uninspired move. And the filmmakers are intent on including as much nudity as possible, without going into ultra-sexed-up nudity, though it almost does in the almost good rape scene.
Although it's an Australian movie, and it's a well-known fact that most Australian's in movies cannot act (i know, seeing as i am one), this film is trying to make things worse for itself by drowning out the speaking with heavy Aussie rock, which is very good on its own, but is butchered here, to dull effect.
Don't worry about seeing Blackrock, it was only made so Year 10's, 11's and 12's in Australia could use it as a study source to accompany the stageplay literary adaption.
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
02/18/23
Full Review
Audience Member
A powerful drama with an impeccable ensemble cast of fine - and virtually unknown - adolecent talent, 'Blackrock' takes a unique angle on violence against women by looking at the topic through a male's point-of-view. The exceptional script by playwright Nick Enright and superb direction of Steve Vidler eliminate the film of melodrama; Vidler extracts such believable and sympathetic performances from his cast that it's difficult not to be captivated by the proceedings. Particularly outstanding are those in the untypical love triangle: the chemistry between Linda Cooper and Laurence Breuls as mother and son, and Breuls with Simon Lyndon as best mates, ensure that their performances are without superficiality. Add to this sharp editing and a soundtrack which packs a punch in itself, and it's not hard to see why 'Blackrock' is such a complete and competent production worthy of time and much attention.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/20/23
Full Review
Audience Member
my least favorite heath ledger movie...it just has no point.
Rated 1/5 Stars •
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
01/26/23
Full Review
Audience Member
<i><b> Australian actor-turned-director Steve Vidler's "Blackrock" explores the impact of a brutal crime on a small community and, in particular, on the sole witness as he wrestles with his conscience and the laws of loyalty considered sacred among male teenagers. Adapted by "Lorenzo's Oil" scripter Nick Enright from his own play, which in turn was inspired by the rape and murder of an adolescent girl in the coastal Oz city of Newcastle, this bruising, high-decibel drama should score with kids the protagonists' age, but its soap-opera-style plotting and overwritten dialogue will limit wider acceptance. <i></b>
VERDICT: "Full Price" - My second highest rating (Positive to Mixed reaction). This is a rating to a movie I view as very entertaining and well made, and definitely worth paying the full price at a theatre to see or own on DVD. It is not perfect, but it is definitely excellent.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/17/23
Full Review
Audience Member
If this were just a fictional film created in some script writers head,,then yeah it probably would've been a great film...HOWEVER its NOT !!! It is a film about the Gruesome,Horrendous,Brutalation Murder of my real life girlfriend that occured on Stockton Beach near Newcastle 20 years ago. I lived exactly 7 houses away from Leigh Leigh & her little sister & her mum Robin - i think its a totally disrespectful way
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/22/23
Full Review
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