Review of 2:37 (2006) by Yeah R — 10 May 2010

Murali K. Thalluri > who would've thought anyone with a name like that could have such a solid debut film.

Sure '2:37' has Van Sant's 'Elephant' written all over it in the way it is filmed. However, it doesn't use it as an influence to copy completely. And for that reason, I was able to get passed it. In fact, it's much more personal than 'Elephant'.

The opening scene of the film, the evidence of blood coming from under a door that a suicide has taken place in an Adelaide high school at 2:37. However, what isn't clear, is who was it?

Enter the main bunch of characters, a gay loner, a jock-ish soccer play popular boy, his popular girlfriend, a grade grub/pressure by daddy Marcus, his sister Melody, the school dag/nerd and a girl hardly noticed.

The young cast of Teresa Palmer, Charles Baird, Sam Harris, Clementine Mellor, Joel McKenzie, Frank Sweet, Marni Spillane joined with established Aussie actor, Gary Sweet, is the first stroke of genius. To get this right was thoroughly important.

I've got to say that as the film began during the first fifteen to twenty ish minutes of duration, I seriously contemplated walking out. Not because of it's resemblence to the way 'Elephant' was shot (that's it's only resemblence mind you), but because of the way I felt it was going - a complete suicide glorifying, stereotypical teen drama.

It does end up being a little more. The first striking performances are from Clementine Mellor and the (abbie cornish-like) Teresa Palmer. Thallari's film manages to weave us into the depressing, real lives of these teens and by the end of the film, I was completely entranced. You don't know who will kill themself, but by the end, you don't want any of them to.

The end result of this film is remarkable. Made more so by the way the performance of the actor who plays the character. Completely and utterly drawn into their world. Mellor was an absolute stand-out in all forms. Best Supporting Actress role i've ever seen all year.

All round, a fantastic drama for teens that could knock any drizzly Hollywood offering for six.

A few complaints would probably be limited to - the badly handled 'gay theme' between two male characters. It would have been wise to consult gays before making such incorrect analyzing of this type of lifestyle and growth into it.

Like 'Brick' (starring Joseph Gordon Levitt) earlier this year, it joins a growing list of teen films which suprise audiences by the level of brilliance & originality, something rarely seen in the genre these days.

Go see it!