the-monzur It has been long enough I don't see a movie like this. Not just a typical crime movie but also full of thrill and some pint of love that is so sweet. NO, not actually sweet but this is the way good people feel about the world and bad try to rule. I am not sure who rated it below 6. I am gonna give it 8. Perfect acting, good direction and on top of all a story that I liked.

Takeshi-K masquerading as art. This is an okay film. It's nothing great. It's not bad either. There are a few truly beautiful Women in it. Hanna Mangan Lawrence, 19 at the time of filming, shines as the doe eyed country girl, wandering the seedy Australian underbelly found in Sydney's red light districts, like a little lost Bambi. The cliché Babe in the Woods routine, take one.Here the Woods are filled with hookers, Black pimps, drug addicts, assorted scumbags, low lives and the obligatory lecherous old man to satisfy the feminists pretending not to enjoy all the revealing Female flesh on show.Hanna Mangan Lawrence does well with a screenplay that is skinnier than Calista Flockhart's chop sticks. The fact that she was directed to be doe eyed throughout the entire film (no character arc to be seen here folks!) does not of course explain why, immediately upon arrival, she is simultaneously savvy enough to start selling her body with the compunction of a seasoned pro. I guess even Bambi had to grow up some time. Of course she is likewise not savvy enough to prevent herself from staying away from trouble. Maybe stay off the streets wasn't in her vocabulary, but then again if she had, the water thin plot would have dissipated quicker than one of Barry Humphrey's farts.Predictable drama ensues until our doe eyed princess is rescued by her prince charming in the form of a likewise doe eyed taxi driver with a heart of gold. Aw how cute. Average film. Nice flesh. Not crap and not great. Just Meh.

sddavis63 This movie has a seedy feel to it - one could even call it "sleazy." That, however, isn't a criticism. It's quite appropriate actually, and it was clearly the feel that director Jon Hewitt needed to establish. The subject matter really left very little choice. How else could it feel?It's the story of two prostitutes who ply their trade in Sydney, Australia - one a veteran in the business who's ready to get out of it, and the other a younger girl just getting into the business. Both Viva Bianca (as Holly, the veteran) and Hanna Mangan Lawrence (as Shay, the rookie) played their parts well. Holly and Shay meet up on a "job," and while in their customers' apartment, hidden away in the bathroom when he gets an unexpected visit from a "business associate," they witness his murder. When the murderer (played by Stephen Bennett) realizes that he's been seen, he sets out to get Holly and Shay, and the movie turns into a fairly standard "chase" sort of movie, through Sydney's less desirable neighbourhoods I would say. There's an attempted twist around the identity of the murderer that didn't really catch me off guard. I hadn't thought about it, but it didn't come as a surprise when we found out who he was."X" features a lot of nudity, and some scenes of sexuality (again, what you would expect given the subject matter) and it's also at times rather violent - again, not a surprise. In many ways it's decent enough. Nothing special, but enough to keep you watching. The biggest weakness to the story, to me at least, revolved around the character of Harry, the taxi driver. He and Shay fall for each other during a taxi ride (yes, he got to catch her topless in the mirror, and that was enough to make him fall madly in love apparently!) His part in the story seemed completely unnecessary and totally unbelievable. I guess he serves to point out that Shay is torn between her perceived need to prostitute herself to survive, and her desire for a normal life with a nice guy. But their relationship just didn't come across as credible to me, and it really did weaken the whole story. (4/10)

PeterMitchell-506-564364 X paints itself off, as something better that it is. I must admit, I was disappointed some, in this. After lasting one week on the cinema circuit in Adelaide, it's easy to see why. It's just a weak drama. It does has a tragic end though for one of it's characters, who I never thought would bite the bullet. Here's the plot of the movie, mostly set over one night in that lurid sewer, King's Cross. An upper class call girl (they all are- Viva Bianca) who caters to some quite elite sorts, is getting out of the business and Sydney. Her and this guy, do a real sexy R rated strip dance, before a group of middle aged, refined sorts (what weirdos). It's quite amusing in bits too. Bianca hasn't told her client/boyfriend.... wait for it.... cop (Peter Docker) yet, she's getting out. Of course. But feeling guilty and obligated, she does, over dinner, at the advice of her tranny friend. Not a good idea. Now more characters come into play, one another pro friend of Bianca's who dies in a showering freak accident, you could say. Fresh off the bus, in King's Cross, is a seventeen year old runaway (Hanna Mangan Lawrence). She's befriended by an even younger street smart girl, a sly little devil, who gives her some pointers about the seedy cross streets. In the hours that ensue, she's beaten up and robbed, for intruding on other pro's turf. She causes a vehiclist, a scummy looking client, while induced in a bit of role playing, being fondled by Hanna's stroking, loving hand, to go arse up another car of three tall hoons. They are not happy chappies. Luck comes her way in the form of Bianca, who throws her an offer that turns out to be a fatal acceptance, where later on, it becomes hell night. Watching Lawrence boozed up, and nude, doing some drunken dancing for a client, a 20's Lebanese guy, she shares with Bianca, was one of the better rewards of the film. There were small moments of hotness there. Only the two, are witness to this Leb's murder, by some hit men, where now they're both pursued, and are soon split up again. Mostly to blame here is the selfish Bianca. Lawrence returns to the Cross and holds out in a run down junkie motel, where she gets to hang out with some lowlife types. Oh I forgot to mention, she's befriended by a taxi driver, who slowly tries to coax her into a relationship. I mean this guy, also seen in Careless love, would have to be 28+. She tells him "It wouldn't work out. Everyone I get close to, gets hurt". Puzzle that over. Gentleman that he is, he does shout her a delicious chilli dog and coke from Cafe de Wheel's. The movie gets more intense near the end. This movie is very predictable, as it's stereotypical of so many other movies. One could say it's old hat. Had X been made twenty five years before, when it should of, it would of come out with much more dignity. As such, now, it just comes off as a wishy washy, forgettable drama, despite a great performance from Bianca, and the sexy presence of Mangan Lawrence. The last scene though, stays with me, between the cabbie and Lawrence, when looking out over the ocean. It's Lawrence's last line, a chilling admittance, that does make sense, when you ponder the history of so many runaways from broken homes. The actress who plays the trannie, who so reminds me of the woman from The Jammed, co wrote this, not the only star featured here, from the much better Redball.