Review of Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002) by Rian P — 09 Mar 2013

What a disappointment. I remember reading an article about this great inspiring story of perseverance and hope when I was about 12 years old, and even at that young age I was really moved by it. Needless to say, I was looking forward to the film, especially after reading about all the plaudits it received. However, I can safely say that this movie adaptation doesn't give justice to the source material at all. I didn't *believe* it. For one, the performances are all ordinary -- the 3 girls are the obviously the standouts, because you can't help but sympathize with their predicament... but even they were not fully convincing. The direction is mostly poorly paced; you don't feel the exhaustion these little girls suffered for the length of time they were under that sweltering Australian sun. I remember reading they walked so much that their footwear completely wore out and they had to travel barefoot... with bleeding heels -- and the older sister had to take turns to carry the 2 younger ones on her back for a lot of the journey. And does Noyce include these compelling sequences/give them enough weight? Nope. He places more attention to the action/adventure part rather than the drama. Sigh. Also, while Christopher Doyle's cinematography was good for the most part, it was sometimes muddled-looking, kinda like a TV movie... and Peter Gabriel's score just never kicks in; quite bland. Everything is just weak. It could have probably been a excellent movie in better hands.

P.S - So shocked to know the racism practiced in Australia carried on till 1970! Wow. Fuck humans, man.