Review of Babyteeth (2020) by Marakai — 19 Aug 2020

There’s an abundance of rising talent emerging from Australia’s film scene at the moment and director Shannon Murphy can consider herself among this group. Her coming-of-age/family drama Babyteeth is yet another success from the antipodes and showcases a confident new voice in independent cinema.

Generally, coming-of-age dramas don’t work for me but Murphy offers so much more here. There’s a lot of ambition in her approach and although a little more discipline is required when some scenes go on too long, for the most part this is a hugely involving and emotional drama that addresses some weighty issues, such as terminal illness, addiction and mental health.

These issues are handled sensitively but also not without some well judged humour to lighten the load, as well as benefiting from four brilliantly committed performances: relative newcomers Eliza Scanlen and Toby Wallace excel as the youngsters coming to terms with the hands they’re dealt while experienced performers like The Babadook’s Essie Davis and, the always excellent, Ben Mendelsohn pick up the pieces as suffering parents with their own issues.

A beautiful and emotionally resonant piece of work.