The Dressmaker

I loved everything about this movie for the first half, then it imploded and punched me in the gut. I was so angry, felt so ripped off that I had to force myself to finish it, in the vain hope something would be salvaged. Like Stephen King movies, the quirky characters romance you until you fall in love with them, then make you watch while they are tortured. If you don't want a sudden shock, something akin to how if would feel if your precious new puppy's head just exploded...stay away. I am going to crawl off now and lick my wounds.

What is it with Australian storytellers? If anyone overcomes a challenge, or has fun, or achieves success, they have to pay -- usually through the loss of their home or a loved one. It's not entertaining, it's not making a statement. It's just a confused, chaotic mish-mash of comedy, satire, thriller, feel-good and tragedy. Like, it's not really a story unless you kill someone off. Immature, cliché'd and boring. When you make up your mind what you're trying to say, gimme a call.