Tom White
Directed By Alkinos Tsilimidos.
Don’t be put off by the fact that this is Aussie, because there’s no Australian satire or blokes flipping snags on barbies. Colin Friels play Tom White, a normal guy who snaps under the pressure of a life too ordinary and goes missing going through a bit of a life crisis.
After suddenly leaving his job one afternoon, Tom wanders around Melbourne, the set of the entire film. His journey introduces him to an array of fellow Melburnians, all of whom are experiencing the darker side of life. Tom connects with all these personalities and they manage to expose a side of Tom that has been suppressed by his ‘normal’ life. Malcolm (Bill Hunter) the grandiose denizen of the indulge the highs and lows of homeless life, analysing their common fate with an amazing smiles on their faces.
Conventionality is thrown out the window with Tom’s chosen journey as he rarely engages in regular conversations. It would be easy to classify the film as one-sided, as it focuses on Tom’s life and ignores the real consequences of his actions. This can be forgiven however with the intense detail shown by writer Daniel Keene in all his characters and Friels’ performance.
I have to admit, I was welling up without even knowing it! Paul Kelly and the Boon Companions perform the intro song, setting a fantastic vibe. Although I didn’t totally understand the motives behind Tom’s actions, I was never isolated from Tom’s story. This is a touching story and if you like Aussie films but hate “Aussie films”, this is a good see.
**1/2 (out of four)
Stewy Jones
