On this page: CHRISTY | ISLANDS | NIGHT OF THE JUGGLER

< < I N D I E S

In his first leading role, Power delivers a memorable performance as this complex young man. Christy may look like the usual surly, feckless teen, but there is both lightness and depth in the way he reacts to the people around him. So while we worry that he may be on the verge of making a terrible decision, Power lets us see that he's smart enough to know better. Opposite him, Noyes is also excellent, finding beautiful undercurrents in the way Shane grapples with feelings he never knew he had.

Both O'Gorman's script and Canty's direction are layered with wonderfully subtle moments that continually reveal pungent details about these people. And Colm Hogan's cinematography is particularly observant as it adeptly captures both characters and settings. The film would have been even stronger if we could more clearly understand the mumbled, idiomatic dialog. But it's still an impressively original take on a familiar genre, and it ultimately feels like a blast of fresh air.

themes, language, violence

19.Aug.25

With his unkempt surfer hair, raspy voice, wiry physicality and open-faced honesty, Riley has superbly scruffy charm as Tom, a nice guy living outside civilised society. This is reflected in his genuinely kind local friends, including a receptionist (Cusi) who's losing patience with him, a local cop (Ambros) and a Moroccan camel-farming couple (Boulane and Adoum). Martin, Farthing and Torrell have strong presence as hapless interlopers who create unexpected waves. By contrast, Blas' Mazo comes from the big city and happily manipulates everyone.

While the running time feels over-extended, it allows Gerster to offer plenty of breathing space. Visual flourishes echo what's happening beneath the surface, including how Tom begins every day in the same way from a different place. Layers of intrigue keep our minds spinning about what scary things might happen next. Indeed, the languid and sun-baked atmosphere masks a restless, gripping tension. And it's ultimately a reminder of the importance of maintaining perspective on who we are, where we are and where we want to go.

themes, language, violence

1.Jul.25

The offbeat title refers to Gus' desire to have enough of his own money to juggle, offering a motive that's easy to understand (other things about him, not so much). His nuttiness is far more intriguing than Otis' wildly overwrought campaign against Sean, a distraction Sean has to continually swat away. But then every scene features something violent that threatens to derail Sean's mission, adding riveting angles to the escalating chaos. All of this gathers considerable weight in a city that is so shockingly crime-ridden that the movie almost feels post-apocalyptic. And Kathy's naivete feels silly from today's perspective. But this is a rare action movie that's genuinely thrilling right to the nerve-wracking final confrontation.

themes, language, violence

29.Aug.25