Modern Love
Directed by Alex Frayne.
"I wish I could leave, but I can't…"
Directed by Alex Frayne, Modern Love is an Aussie film set in a remote seaside rural community. Following his uncle's suicide, John (Mark Constable) returns to the town he left many years ago, with his wife Emily and young son, Edward.
The film explores John's mysterious past and the complicated nature of grief, as he finds that he becomes increasingly identified with Uncle Tom, to the point of obsession. It also illustrates the contrast between city and country life, and the dwindling populations within Australian rural communities.
There are a host of odd and interesting characters, such as John's brother Daniel, a local random yobbo, and the owner of the hotel where Emily and Edward stay.
Modern Love is unlike many Australian films that have come out over the past decade, in that it does not rely heavily on cultural stereotypes or exaggeratedly 'Aussie' characters to attempt to engage the audience. Instead, it simply gives us a window into a grieving man's mind.
I give this one 3.5/5.
Sarah Burton
