maz underscore
The characters are believable and likable the story is heartwarming and well told. As usual Rachel Griffith is just wonderful in her performance as the cold, emotionally distraught mother, Tanya. Rachel seems to be able to say so much about her character using just her eyes.Ben Mendelssohn is sweet and sexy as the neighbor Robert and Alana De Roma is just perfect as the little song tress, Amy. These three actors really hold the plot together along with the diverse Kerry Armstrong as neighbour, Sarah.Some of the flash backs in this film seem quiet out of place. The shots of the deceased rock star Will, seem almost obsolete in their repetitiveness. Some of the more quirky and unbelievable scenes also seem to be quite out of place in this drama plot. There's nothing wrong with using comedy in a drama, but it's important not to border on the absurd.However, Amy is worth watching if only for the characters and to show, as cheesy as it might sound, that peoples kindness can help you get through just about anything.
gorg_w
this is an amazingly beautiful film that gets me tingly every time i watch it. young Amy and her mother travel to the big city to try and crack Amy's psychological problem of being a deaf mute. to find the answer we meet great characters, and some real Aussie's. comedy, drama, romance, tears. possibly the best Australian film ever. whenever i see it i end up with a warm feeling, and wishing i was a musician. a must see for anyone with a heart.
Sam-292
I rented Amy with hesitance after reading that it was an Australian movie, and to be quite honest with you, I am not a huge fan of the movies that are produced in my country. Amy, however, is a brilliant film which does not focus on the typical Australian stereotypes which have previously dominated the majority of Australian movies. Instead, it relies on fantastic acting, dry humour and an intriguing storyline to capture the audience's attention. As I watched, I found myself being drawn into the mystery of Amy, a young girl who became traumatised after watching an incident which is only revealed after her mother experiences flashbacks to the event in the middle of the movie. This particular scene is superbly acted by Rachel Griffiths, and precisely depicts why Amy has withdrawn herself into a world of silence. Amy is a fantastic film which showcases Australian film production at its very finest.
Steve Baker
The latest film from Australians Nadia Tass and David Parker (Malcom, The Big Steal, Stark, Mr Reliable, Ricky And Pete and Pure Luck) works superbly in some respects and woefully in others.A little girl (Amy Enker) sees her rock star father (Nick Barker from The Reptiles) die from electrocution on stage. She then seems to be unable to speak or to even hear others. Her mother (Rachel Griffiths) refuses to have her daughter taken from her by welfare and they hide out in inner city Melbourne. There they meet assorted misfits and desperates including a musician called Robert (Ben Mendelsohn).These film makers enjoy adding a slight touch of surrealism to their movies, especially to the peripheral characters. In Amy this takes the form of stupid eccentrics, in particular singing policemen, which some may find the most appealing element of the film but which I found annoying; only a distraction from that which is so much more effective.The dramatic aspects of Amy are particularly strong. Rachel Griffiths and Ben Mendelsohn are two of our most emotive actors. The essential element of the film is the emotional pain the little girl and her mother are enduring caused by the death of a man they both loved dearly. Their grief is strongly portrayed.The search by these two for a solution that may allow the daughter to escape her self imposed withdrawal from the world is poignant and demanded a film that steadfastly remained a drama.Dad's electrocution, an utterly hateful paparazzi photographer and a helplessly crying young lad reeling from domestic violence and drunkenness are all I needed from Amy. The rest didn't fit at all.It was also pretty unlikely that the little girl could sing so well, but hey, that's entertainment!
AD
