Review of Evil Angels (1988) by Shantel D — 27 Dec 2014

A strong, disturbing film in which Meryl Streep's beauty and talent and director Fred Schepisi's intelligence are both shown to best advantage, without easy points or grandstanding. Meryl Streep gives another stellar performance in this fact-based Australian drama about a working class woman accused of killing her daughter. Streep and Neill are the film's perfectly matched thoroughbreds. But the film is neither a double star turn nor the best kind of courtroom drama; it is a sort of epic mosaic of national character. The entire support cast are also excellent, with some of Australia's finest actors and actresses playing a part. This makes the film more than just the story of one family, but shows how, once something comes into the public realm, it can be shaped and controlled by the public in complex ways. Meryl Streep nails the accent and portrays Lindy as a most intriguing, unflappable character. She rarely, if ever, loses her nerve, maintaining her composure in the face of constant public and media scrutiny. Technically the film is brilliant too, with Director of Photography Ian Baker capturing this great land with splendour (especially the Rock). Editor Jill Bilcock keeps the whole movie tense and very emotionally charged, while Bruce Smeaton provides a telling score.

VERDICT: "High-Quality Stuff" - [Positive 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... (Films that are rated 3.5 or 4 stars).