Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-21 00:30:07

A Search For A Dead Woman

This review is from: Grievous Bodily Harm [VHS] (VHS Tape) A woman is said to be dead, but her husband is trying to find her anyway. A journalist and a cop get drawn into the search.

Roger Burke 2012-05-20 08:58:04

I just want my wife back – just tell me where she is or I'll…

I'd heard about this crime/thriller long time back, but only recentlyfound a copy.It's a true-blue Australian story that uses a conventional narrative –man on a quest – to flesh out three concurrent stories: a seeminglyordinary school teacher who is searching for his wife thought to bedead; the frenetic daily routine of a crime reporter with one of thenational rags who stumbles into more than he expected; and a relentlesscopper who'll stop at nothing to get what he wants.So, it has elements that you saw in films like Blood Simple (1984), orFarewell, My Lovely (1944, 1975), or Body Heat (1981) and many others –all of which are generally subsumed under the rubric 'film noir'. Thinkof Point Blank (1967), and you'll recall Walker (Lee Marvin) who justwanted his wife and his $40,000 back, stolen by the Mob; and the restis classic cinematic history as Walker decimates the bad guys as onlyLee Marvin could do it.All of those films center upon a husband or boy-friend who's beensuckered by The Woman – the one he's trying to find. This film doesn'thave the star or directorial draw of the above films, but it's still upthere with them as a true film noir.The fascinating first twist (and there are clever twists in this film)is that the school teacher, Morris Martin (John Waters) is mentallyunhinged to the point of insanity by the disappearance of his wife; andthat leads him into impulsive acts – acts that you have to see toappreciate for their ferocity. The second twist is that the reporter,Tom Stewart (Colin Friels) is handed – literally – a fortune in a bagof cash from a bank robbery, in the first few minutes of this film; andwhich, in turn, eventually leads him to meet up with the anguishedschool teacher. The third twist is discovering – also early in the plot– that the relentless copper, Ray Birch (the late Bruno Lawrence), isalso a cold-blooded killer who is after that cash.Hence, while Morris continues his relentless search for his wife,Claudine (Joy Bell) – and Ray grimly and ruthlessly gets closer to thecash – Tom discovers that Claudine is alive and sets off to find her.Unhappily for Tom, so does Morris; but Tom doesn't know that. Ray, nowwith Tom in his sights as the bag man with all that cash, is not farbehind. And, all the while, the body count just keeps getting higher...And, as you watch and savor the unfolding nastiness and horror, youmight think you will eventually anticipate how it might all end. Well,that's where the final twists come into play, and which upset all ofyour preconceived ideas about who gets what, and when. Truly, it's notoften you are dealt such excellence in story, acting and direction,proving that you don't need block-buster money to provide intelligentand thrilling entertainment.The filming is simply excellent, along with the editing which is sharp,focused and keeps you on edge – to follow the plot and to keep up withthe fast pacing. The acting from the three central characters is justsuperb with John Waters – first time in my view – reminding me of ayoung Peter Finch and just as accomplished; Colin Friels always givinghis best; and, well, Bruno Lawrence was simply one of the best actorsI've ever seen. The supporting cast is more than adequate to help carrythe story on, especially the very attractive femme fatale, Joy Bell.This story and film, for me, reminds me most of the films of the Cohenbrothers, well known as masters of dramatic irony, horror, andsuspense. Director Mark Joffe and writer, Warwick Hind aren't thereyet, but this one is an admirable addition to that type of film.Just you wait to see the final irony in this one...delicious! Get acopy if you can. Highly recommended.June, 2011.