Review of Holy Smoke (1921) by Alison O — 12 Apr 2005

Best in Show: Kate Winslet.

One for the future: Kate Winslet.

Stand-out scene: Keitel donning a dress.

Brainer or no-brainer: Brainer.

Stands up to one viewing or repeated?: Repeated.

DVD commentary any good?: n/a.

TV.

I adored Jane Campion's Sweetie when I caught it on TV a few years ago and have subsequently actively sought out her work. While this carries the same distinct obtuseness that polarises opinion on her films, she remains one of the most important female writer/directors plying her craft today. Once again this is a story with a strong female character at its heart. In this instance Sydney-born Ruth Barron is travelling in India when she falls under the influence of a Guru figure. Alarmed that she has joined a religious cult, her mother joins her and persuades her to return home to Australia by claiming that her father is terminally ill. With the Barrons enlisting the services of American exit counsellor P. J. Waters, Ruth is forced to undergo a three-day one-on-one intensive exit programme at an outback shack. However, the one-on-one attention becomes more than psychological when Waters falls for his young charge. Brave performances from Winslet and Keitel in which they physically and psychologically subsume themselves in their characters render this a movie with real impact, the sun-drenched locations adding a welcome extra dimension to its charm. We need more intelligent, thought-provoking films like this.