thenationofartists.com

Reviewed by Elliot V. Kotek
(from the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival)

Directed by: Ana Kokkinos
Written by: Andrew Bovell
Starring: Frances O’Connor, Miranda Otto, Deborra-Lee Furness, Sophie Lowe, Victoria Haralabidou, Reef Ireland, Eamon Farren and Harrison Gilbertson

Told in separate parts that focus the film first on a handful of children and then on their mothers over the period of one day/one night, “Blessed” (based on the stage play “Who’s Afraid of the Working Class?”) paints a confronting portrait of extraordinary but somewhat ordinary lives collectively facing the battles (addiction, lack of attention, financial despair, lack of belonging, parental absence, substance abuse, teen suicide, physical abuse) that seem to exist more prominently (or at least, more publicly) in the struggling classes.

In an inadequate nutshell: Otto’s Bianca is fighting the concept of adulthood and responsibility for her teenage daughter, Katrina. Haralabidou’s immigrant mother Gina worships her missing son Roo at the expense of her relationship with her daughter Trisha. Furness’ Tanya struggles to support an errant husband and teenage child, falsely accusing her son of stealing her savings as she simultaneously seeks to find warm comforts in the arms of an older man. And O’Connor’s Rhonda is a devastating portrait of a pregnant mother whose love for her children knows no bounds despite her inability to care for them or to protect them.

With stunning photography from Australia’s iconic cinematographer Geoff Burton (“Storm Boy,” “Flirting”), “Blessed” represents Kokkinos’ most significant outing since the much-lauded “Head On” (another of Kokkinos’ collaborations with acclaimed scribe Andrew Bovell). The film is gut-wrenching in its honesty, and, while Cezary Skubiszewski’s score might be a touch too overwrought to not feel manipulative, the performances of all cast members secure the picture’s absolute integrity as a work of art. Above the pack, Frances O’Connor as Rhonda, and Ireland and Farren as Orton and Roo, respectively, are powerfully award-worthy outings for these talented thesps should the film find its way out of the pack of excellent Australian fare currently touring the festival circuit.

While the plot seems to follow a group of individuals united by solitude, grief, loneliness and despair, there is some hope sprinkled amidst the depression, and an inkling that some future is being forged by the strength of character of the children foraging forward from their bleak backgrounds. Success can be stark sometimes.

Photo courtesy of Toronto International Film Festival

Video interview with “Blessed” director Ana Kokkinos and lead actress Miranda Otto