Starring: Bethany Whitmore, Harrison Feldman, Imogen Archer, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Eamon Farren
Distributor: Umbrella Entertainment
Runtime: 77 mins. Reviewed in Sep 2016
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Another coming of age story set in the halcyon 1970’s, stuffed with character staples that viewers will instantly be able to identify equivalents of in their own lives. ‘Girl Asleep’ feels at once both overtly familiar and somehow totally refreshing. Rosemary Myers’ sensitive and engaging direction, Matthew Whittet’s funny and surreal script (adapted from his own stage play), and a wonderfully cast collection of actors combine to make this a truly wonderful little film.
On her first day at a new school, 14-year-old Greta (Bethany Whitmore) eats her lunch alone, before being approached by Elliot (Harrison Feldman), who peppers her with attempts at conversation. He is clearly at the bottom of the food chain on the playground and is desperate for a friend. He practically says as much. Their conversation is shot from square in front, while a heightened and surreal conception of a playground unspools behind them. This composition from DP Andrew Commis smacks of Wes Anderson’s trademark deep, painterly visuals, and this is a happy parallel sustained throughout the film.
There’s tough news for Elliot though, as Greta is stolen away by the resident queen bee Jade (Maiah Stewardson), a pint-sized bully almost constantly flanked by Amazonian identical twins Sapphire and Amber (Fiona and Grace Dawson). At home, Greta is constantly drawn to the forest behind their house, an endless glade of lofty pines from which she imagines vibrantly robed creatures emerging. These are the work of Jonathon Oxlade, doing yeoman’s work as both costume and production designer; the results of both are magnificent, creating a total immersion into the heightened 70s setting, and are themselves capable of producing nostalgia and knowing smiles.
After school one day, Elliot visits Greta’s home, where he interacts with her flamboyant Mum (Amber McMahon), daggy Dad (Matthew Whittet, pulling double duties), and too-cool sister Genevieve (Imogen Archer). It’s Greta’s turn for bad news, as Elliot plants the seeds of a horrifying idea in her parents’ mind: a 15th birthday party with all the kids from her class. Needless to say, they love the idea. She, on the other hand, is mortified.
Cutting forward to the night of the party, Greta endures a run in with Jade and her minions, and lashes out at Elliot as a result, just when he is vulnerably revealing his romantic feelings towards her. After he leaves, Greta falls into a deep slumber, and her dream state takes her on a trippy journey into the forest, populated now by a host of creatures which she draws from her daily life. As she struggles to extract herself from the fantasy, she just might answer her own burning questions about the significance of growing up. These questions have been asked many times before, but the surreal edge of ‘Girl Asleep’ results in rich and unexpected answers. Debut director Rosemary Myers melds the real and the absurd nicely, and mounts several hypnotic dance sequences at the party.
Likely the film’s strongest asset is its cast. Bethany Whitmore is wonderfully relatable as Greta, ensuring that the film might just be compulsory viewing for all kids entering high school. Harrison Feldman is absurdly enthusiastic as Elliot, and garners the most laughs for his troubles. Runner-up in those stakes would be Amber McMahon, seemingly Australia’s answer to Amy Poehler, who with Matthew Whittet creates the perfect parental team. The pair are a very real blend of embarrassing and affectionate, a balance that so many movie parents have tried and failed to strike.
Truly wonderful filmmaking with a beating heart beneath its impressive exterior, ‘Girl Asleep’ is easily one of the best Australian films of the year.
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