The Well
Director: Samantha Lang
Starring: Pamela Rabe, Miranda Otto, Paul Chubb, Frank Wilson(II),
Steve Jacobs, Genevieve Lemon.
There is a stereotype of Australian cinema: loud, multicoloured
affairs filled with outrageous characters and slightly absurd
settings. In this category you'll find the most popular International
Australian hits: Strictly Ballroom and Priscilla, Queen
of the Desert. Be warned: do not go to The Well
expecting this kind of movie.
The Well really only has two characters: Ms. Miranda Otto's
Katherine and Ms. Pamela Rabe's Hester. There are a few other minor
characters in the movie, all of whom do a fine job with their parts
but Hester and Katherine are its essence. The movie revolves around
their relationship, trying to work out what each one is to the other
and what each expects of the other. This places a large amount of
responsibility on Ms. Otto and Ms. Rabe, something which they are well
up to.
The lead performances of this film are beyond description. While
Hester is a reasonably straightforward character, Ms. Rabe gives her a
depth that allows the viewer some insights in to her mind but she is
never two-dimensional. Ms. Otto's Katherine is, perhaps, the more
glamorous role, the stranger whom we never quite understand: why is
she here? does she like Hester? is she manipulative or just simple?
Both actors resist the temptation to make their characters
cliches, playing them with an intensity and reserve that makes
the film astonishingly gripping.
This is one of those films where the craft of the film far outweighs
the plot. If I were to summarise the plot for you (which I won't), I
doubt you would think it a spell binding idea: yet the movie is. The
final night in the cottage is riveting, with Ms. Rabe's performance
compelling us into the morning.
Before I get too carried away lavishing praise on this production let
me just say that there is a single plot contrivance which is both
essential for the story and yet undermines its integrity completely.
I found myself snapped out of the spell of the movie for about ten
minutes following that event: Hester would never have behaved thus.
The argument could be made that she was desperate, but it was never
clearly shown why that situation called for such desperate measures.
(As a consequence of this, I will now read the novel by Ms. Elizabeth
Jolley upon which this movie is based; perhaps more motivation is
given therein.)
The scenery is also a slight novelty for Australian movies: it is
still an isolated property but at least it is not outback Australian
and there is a town within driving distance. The colours are less
harsh than usually seen, with a more muted red for the earth and some
actual green in the countryside.
This is definitely a high quality movie. For me, one of the great
pleasures of watching The Well was that for a large part of
the movie, I had no idea where it was going. It opened up
possibilities which it never resolved. It left us questioning the
motives of the protagonists and wondering where to next. How will
this experience change Hester? Katherine?
If you like nice, neat movies where every punch is telegraphed and
everything is sewn together in a neat little bundle, then this is not
the movie for you. If you like possibilities, tension and intrigue,
and if you can overlook a major plot contrivance, then make sure you
see The Well.
Rating: D
© Nikki Lesley 1997