Review of Healing (2014) by Harry W — 18 May 2014

As an Australian film which featured Hugo Weaving, I felt an obligation to see Healing.

Healing was a really nice film because it is honestly the first film I've seen to deal with a theme of prison so gently. Yet in taking a soft look at its themes it didn't degrade the dramatic edge of the story but rather makes it a more relaxed and easy experience for the viewer which is entertaining.

Healing is flawed in parts, but nothing too serious. The ambition of director Craig Monahan is terrific because he attempts to make the story an ambitious look into the minds of four central characters, and he balances it out mostly well except that he fails to touch upon Hugo Weaving's character Matt Perry. Hugo Weaving is the actor given top billing for the film and his performance is terrific, but the film never really breathes depth into his character even though there is potential for it to be done. Matt Perry is a prison guard facing a slightly troubled marriage and the sadness about the death of his daughter to cancer, but the film doesn't really go deeply into him. The balance amongst the characters is great, and if Healing was able to put a little bit more depth into him then it would have been even better. That is the only real flaw I found in Healing, as well as the fact that its tones were shifting rather often.

Aside from that, Healing was a terrific entry into Australian cinema. Like I said, it touches upon the theme of prison really gently because it depicts characters in a low-security pre-release prison with guards who are both willing to enforce the rules as well as be friendly to the inmates without corruption between them. And it depicts the pre-release prison as simply as a school camp, only with a few prisoners abusing the system as common in a prison. Of all the prison movies I have ever seen, Healing is the most spiritual because it shows just how certain rehabilitation programs have helped criminals find a new calling in life, and that is precisely what the film covers in connecting the prisoners to injured birds. Healing takes a meaningful look at criminals and makes them a largely compelling bunch of characters who don't follow the standard movie stereotypes of playing a prisoner and instead play them from a more realistic and sympathetic standpoint. And as the story unfolds more and more and the film introduces viewers to the characters and tells them more about them, and with a well-paced and intelligent script, there proves to be a lot of strong characters. Although there are times where the script isn't really subtle and attempts to sneak in brief explanations of the characters' lives or motivations, overall it is consistent with intelligent language and honesty. International viewers may be confused by some of the stereotypical Aussie terms though since at times it is pretty heavy with them, and even I was. But still, it is good.

And Healing also capitalises on some magnificent scenery. Capturing the beauty of the Australian outback and the beauty of the country, Healing is shot on a flawlessly convincing setting. It genuinely feels real because the design of the low-security country prison is so perfectly detailed, and it is shot at a perfect time when the sun is delightfully bright and gives a natural beauty to the film which is all captured with excellent cinematography. The footage of the birds is particularly beautiful because of how it captures the magnificence of the creatures with ease and makes the visual appeal of Healing even greater, and the fact that Healing was filemd at Healesville Sanctuary presents one of the best wildlife sanctuaries Australia has to offer.

And beneath the firm storytelling and grand visual experience of Healing, director Craig Monahan manages to bring out the best talents of his cast.

Hugo Weaving's natural charm makes him a fine lead in Healing. Although his character isn't as deep as he really should be, the way that Hugo Weaving delivers his lines with a touch of dramatic edge as well as a naturally friendly appeal manages to make him a genial presence. Hugo Weaving is the character that introduces audiences to the film and gets them to adapt to the light nature of the drama, and although Craig Monahan didn't really capitalise on Hugo Weaving or give him a good character while boasting his name around a lot, Hugo Weaving's gentle and natural performance is very likable and admirable in Healing.

Don Hany also makes a fine effort. I was surprised to learn that he was actually an Australian actor because the way that he naturally captured a strong Ukrainian accent and an intimidating demeanour which later breaks down into a more human side of the character Viktor Khadem just goes to show how easily he can capture a character convincingly. The realism and honesty in Don Hany manages to allow him to develop at an organic pace over the course of Healing, and his dramatic effort is a strong one so he is admirable for what he does in Healing.

Mark Leonard Winter has a few bumps in cementing his character along the way, but his natural Australian charm manages to make him a compelling character. He has some of the charm of a young David Wenham as well as the appearance of a young Daniel Day-Lewis, and it is easy for viewers to find themselves both enjoying his performance and laughing at some of the stupidities of his character's decisions. Mark Leonard Winter is a good cast member after viewers adjust to the odd nature of his character.

Xavier Samuel also makes a decent effort.

So despite a few tonal shifts and more focus on using Hugo Weaving's name than giving him a strong character, Healing was a very entertaining and spiritual Australian film which had a lot of visual appeal thanks to the wonderful scenery and strong drama created by the efforts of a talented cast.