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DVD Review
Rabbit-Proof Fence
By Lee Tistaert Published April 17, 2003
US Release: November 29, 2002
Directed by: Phillip Noyce
Starring: Everlyn Sampi , Tianna Sansbury , Laura Monaghan
PG
Running Time: 94 minutes
Domestic Box Office: $15,434,000
Directed by: Phillip Noyce
Starring: Everlyn Sampi , Tianna Sansbury , Laura Monaghan
PG
Running Time: 94 minutes
Domestic Box Office: $15,434,000
B+
59 of 143
Visually captivating
Rabbit-Proof Fence is a prime example of how much one can accomplish with so little. The film, with its simple storyline (and no subplots), manages to maintain deep engagement with its visually captivating look.
The film is really a wake-up call in the ways of moviemaking, as it forces the viewer to realize how much is being executed with such simple tactics. Where Hollywood generally smacks the audience in the face with the obvious without a full load of intelligence, much of Rabbit-Proof is in subtle details and the beautiful direction by Phillip Noyce. It could probably be said that if one looked at the script, it could be iffy to figure out the precise impact the story would make. And in that angle the project really required a director who thoroughly comprehended visual storytelling, as most of the film is a journey across land; and thankfully, the right talent was found.
Rabbit-Proof Fence takes place in 1931 when a new law was passed, allowing the Australian government to freely remove any Aboriginal children from their families; the goal was to integrate them into white societies and turn them into domestic workers. The film follows three young girls (Molly, Daisy, and Gracie) as they?re taken away from their mother, and transported to Moore River where various other children have been planted. Despite harsh consequences if caught escaping, Molly leads the way as the trio attempt to find their way back home (1,500 miles).
If there?s one film Rabbit-Proof Fence reminded me of it was Gerry, with Matt Damon and Casey Affleck, under the direction of Gus Van Sant. In that tale, two young guys traveling through the desert stopped for a hike and eventually got lost amongst the everlasting familiar foreground. Via visual storytelling, the viewer was led on an amazing journey where dialogue didn?t speak the emotions ? the visuals/scenery did. Rabbit-Proof, a la Gerry, is a minimalist drama in that it relies on very few essentials to tell its story; there is simply a camera, a director, a few major stars, and a plot that simply asks the protagonists to keep on walking through the desert. However, each story is different and each portrays different themes.
What keeps Rabbit-Proof Fence alive with energy is not the script, but the actors and the director. Through a pulsating musical score and sound effects, we get to realistically view these girls? journey across the lands. And the amazing factor about the film is how easily the children are likable and sympathetic to the audience (from the start) without even much dialogue performed on their part. Their roles are primarily physical in that they require heavy uses of facial expressions and body language to convey their personality. The film, like Gerry, proves that spoken words can be over-rated, as sometimes all one needs to do is look beneath the surface and the jewels can be found.
Most pictures have their characters speak in order for the viewer to understand their position in the story. And in those cases, it is the screenwriter(s)?s job to think and insert clever dialogues and come off intelligent. Rabbit-Proof simply asks the audience to observe, which is a role reversal; rather than the screenwriter coming off so wise (even though it?s clever) the moviegoer is placed in a situation where they themselves are forced to think.
For a film that?s not theoretically a thriller, Rabbit-Proof Fence had me on the edge of my seat for most of the duration. It?s a personal drama with an intense directorial look, and is fine evidence of how it is possible to tell a familiar story beautifully. Despite being hooked all the way through, I was convinced of the ending for a good distance. But the surprise that came was that it didn?t completely go the way I thought, which added a touch of realism. And while this is based on a true story, it kept the journey from being wholly predictable.
While not as artsy and non-mainstream as Gerry, Rabbit-Proof Fence is still not a commercial film. On the other hand, if more and more viewers were introduced to it I would bet that satisfaction would be very much in gear. But that is the tough part of distributing a project into the art-house world: one must create buzz and good word of mouth, but only so many filmgoers go to that specific multiplex.
It?s not a film that moviegoers would rush to, which creates a problem, as art-house productions sometimes do not live as long as those mainstream ones across the street. Rabbit-Proof Fence is a powerful case of a potential word of mouth movie that didn?t really get such a treatment in theaters. It did stay around for a surprising 19 weeks with rather consistent modest sales ($5.9 million total - $6.0 million budget), but was never broadened too much in theater count to meet a universal audience. But now on video/DVD, it gets its chance.
DVD Features:
- Following the Rabbit-Proof Fence Documentary
- Feature Commentary with Director Phillip Noyce, Peter Gabriel (musician), Kenneth Branagh, screenwriter Christine Olsen, and author Doris Pilkington Garimera
The film is really a wake-up call in the ways of moviemaking, as it forces the viewer to realize how much is being executed with such simple tactics. Where Hollywood generally smacks the audience in the face with the obvious without a full load of intelligence, much of Rabbit-Proof is in subtle details and the beautiful direction by Phillip Noyce. It could probably be said that if one looked at the script, it could be iffy to figure out the precise impact the story would make. And in that angle the project really required a director who thoroughly comprehended visual storytelling, as most of the film is a journey across land; and thankfully, the right talent was found.
Rabbit-Proof Fence takes place in 1931 when a new law was passed, allowing the Australian government to freely remove any Aboriginal children from their families; the goal was to integrate them into white societies and turn them into domestic workers. The film follows three young girls (Molly, Daisy, and Gracie) as they?re taken away from their mother, and transported to Moore River where various other children have been planted. Despite harsh consequences if caught escaping, Molly leads the way as the trio attempt to find their way back home (1,500 miles).
If there?s one film Rabbit-Proof Fence reminded me of it was Gerry, with Matt Damon and Casey Affleck, under the direction of Gus Van Sant. In that tale, two young guys traveling through the desert stopped for a hike and eventually got lost amongst the everlasting familiar foreground. Via visual storytelling, the viewer was led on an amazing journey where dialogue didn?t speak the emotions ? the visuals/scenery did. Rabbit-Proof, a la Gerry, is a minimalist drama in that it relies on very few essentials to tell its story; there is simply a camera, a director, a few major stars, and a plot that simply asks the protagonists to keep on walking through the desert. However, each story is different and each portrays different themes.
What keeps Rabbit-Proof Fence alive with energy is not the script, but the actors and the director. Through a pulsating musical score and sound effects, we get to realistically view these girls? journey across the lands. And the amazing factor about the film is how easily the children are likable and sympathetic to the audience (from the start) without even much dialogue performed on their part. Their roles are primarily physical in that they require heavy uses of facial expressions and body language to convey their personality. The film, like Gerry, proves that spoken words can be over-rated, as sometimes all one needs to do is look beneath the surface and the jewels can be found.
Most pictures have their characters speak in order for the viewer to understand their position in the story. And in those cases, it is the screenwriter(s)?s job to think and insert clever dialogues and come off intelligent. Rabbit-Proof simply asks the audience to observe, which is a role reversal; rather than the screenwriter coming off so wise (even though it?s clever) the moviegoer is placed in a situation where they themselves are forced to think.
For a film that?s not theoretically a thriller, Rabbit-Proof Fence had me on the edge of my seat for most of the duration. It?s a personal drama with an intense directorial look, and is fine evidence of how it is possible to tell a familiar story beautifully. Despite being hooked all the way through, I was convinced of the ending for a good distance. But the surprise that came was that it didn?t completely go the way I thought, which added a touch of realism. And while this is based on a true story, it kept the journey from being wholly predictable.
While not as artsy and non-mainstream as Gerry, Rabbit-Proof Fence is still not a commercial film. On the other hand, if more and more viewers were introduced to it I would bet that satisfaction would be very much in gear. But that is the tough part of distributing a project into the art-house world: one must create buzz and good word of mouth, but only so many filmgoers go to that specific multiplex.
It?s not a film that moviegoers would rush to, which creates a problem, as art-house productions sometimes do not live as long as those mainstream ones across the street. Rabbit-Proof Fence is a powerful case of a potential word of mouth movie that didn?t really get such a treatment in theaters. It did stay around for a surprising 19 weeks with rather consistent modest sales ($5.9 million total - $6.0 million budget), but was never broadened too much in theater count to meet a universal audience. But now on video/DVD, it gets its chance.
DVD Features:
- Following the Rabbit-Proof Fence Documentary
- Feature Commentary with Director Phillip Noyce, Peter Gabriel (musician), Kenneth Branagh, screenwriter Christine Olsen, and author Doris Pilkington Garimera
Lee's Grade: B+
Ranked #59 of 143 between Moonlight Mile (#58) and Femme Fatale (#60) for 2002 movies.
Ranked #59 of 143 between Moonlight Mile (#58) and Femme Fatale (#60) for 2002 movies.
Lee's Overall Grading: 3025 graded movies
| A | 0.4% | |
| B | 30.0% | |
| C | 61.7% | |
| D | 8.0% | |
| F | 0.0% |
