Palm Beach

I used to get indignant when people would say "It's alright for an Australian film", however, the more Australian films I see lately, the more I get we don't make the best films. Set in beautiful Palm Beach (as the title suggests), this movie is about a bunch of people who used to be in a band, along with there current family members, getting back together for a reunion of sorts for their manager's birthday. They all have skeletons in the closet that rattle their bones to make themselves known. This film feel like it is just a movie length episode of TV soap. However, if you watch it on DVD, then you have no ads and you don't have the musical crescendo to build up to an ad break to keep you interested. Bryan Brown and Sam Neil are brilliant actors and I like their work as actors, but this film is just a little slow.

We used to live at the exact house number used in this Palm Beach movie before the 90s the view remains unchanged and is still amazing. This movie brings back memories, the current house is changed to what was the original house that used to be there. I'm glad they finally made a movie at Palm Beach.

My Review- Palm Beach 6/10 I wish this Australian movie success just because I support our film industry but it wasn't my cuppa tea at all. It's set of course in one of the most beautiful beach side settings in Australia so it looks splendid but I just couldn't warm to any of these spoiled self indulgent Nouveau riche characters. The saying house guests are like fish , they go off after 2 days is more than true with these characters , they went off for me about half an hour in to the story and began to wish for a Tsunami to whisk them away. Especially Richard E Grant as Billy an insipid , sarcastic failed musician who taunts the host and mocks his wife. All the stereotypes of dysfunctional family characters are on display in Palm Beach , the ageing actress , the dutiful but unhappy wife , the spoiled indulged adult children and all the men are in crisis of some sort or another. The acting is good, the setting is delightful the script is ok but one particular scene involving a chimney demolition and the underlying tension involving DNA identification left me at the end thinking I really dislike these people . I much preferred meeting The Fockers , at least they were interesting but perhaps unlike me you may enjoy it . I just thought it was like an enticing chocolate wrapped in gold foil but when eaten, a little bitter and disappointing.

What a wonderful feel-good movie. Loved it. Light hearted, fun, with depth and vulnerability, this movie depicts the ups and downs of family life and friendships. Throw in a happy ending and this movie takes you on an emotional journey and leaves you feeling good. Love that it was shot on the Gold Coast, beautiful scenery. Love also that it's different to any other Aussie film I've ever seen - they tend to be dark and edgy, I like my movies to be more lighthearted, fun and feel-good unless they're thrillers. Kudos to Rachel Ward for bringing us an Aussie movie that hits all the right notes. Pay no attention to the tall-poppy swipers and identity politics whiners in their low-ball reviews. Just because most Aussie movies depict the Aussie battler doesn't mean they all have to. It's good to show all different walks of life and there are plenty of wealthy Aussies living the good life- this movie shows that money doesn't keep drama at bay. Great work.

Sure this has been done before, most notably The Big Chill, but this was a refreshing Aussie version. The cast was distinguished and they all contributed to a satisfying and entertaining movie. The plot of old friends getting together over an extended weekend in a beautiful part of the world and then years of dramas in the group bubbling to the surface is not new, but this treatment worked. I enjoyed the revelations and must admit they were sometimes unexpected. The locale was spectacular and I can see why it was supported by NSW tourism. All told I'm glad I saw it. Well done to the team.

All the men are one dimensional idiots, sorry for themselves and pathetic and all the women are perfect understanding "long suffering" well turned out and forgiving angels. Feminism by stealth. If you are a guy don't bother.