Not so placid after all

At last! After a notably poor year for Australian film, some quality local product is finally appearing. Leading the way is Tony McNamara's The Rage in Placid Lake; and this film is like a breath of fresh air. While other filmmakers are apparently falling over themselves to make mostly unfunny crime comedies, McNamara takes us on an original and idiosyncratic journey into adulthood through the eyes of its eponymous hero, Placid Lake (Ben Lee).

The plot concerns Placid's rebellion against the mores imposed on him by his parents Doug (Gary McDonald) and Sylvia (Miranda Richardson). The thing is that Doug and Sylvia are self-absorbed hippies, more concerned with the impact of globalisation on Pacific Island communities than with their son. Placid has always been a bit "weird", earning him the wrath of a group of bullies at his preppie private school. But a serious injury after an incident with the bullies leads him to decide to change his life - he's going to be a rebel. But, with his unconventional background, Placid's "rebellion" sees him get a suit, a George W Bush haircut and a job at his insurance company. His newfound normalcy however doesn't sit well with Gemma (Rose Byrne), his platonic girlfriend, and probably the only person who ever really understood him.

Writer/director McNamara has a background in theatre, and that's apparent in the film's keen ear for dialogue, something notably missing from many Australian movies this year. Placid's efforts to dissuade the bullies from beating on him every day, and a pivotal confrontation with his father are prime examples of McNamara's skills. He also infuses the film with a wonderful sense of the absurd.

That absurdist approach is something quite refreshing in an Australian film. Not that it's entirely original of course, but it's encouraging to see at least one Aussie director prepared to break the mould a little. McNamara's work recalls the witticism-filled pictures of Woody Allen, Hal Hartley and Whit Stillman, and he's clearly enamoured with the likes of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, (which it resembles, albeit in reverse).

All this adds up to a highly agreeable film - one filled with acute social observations, but which can also be enjoyed as a comedy for its own sake.

Singer turned actor Ben Lee plays Placid a little awkwardly - and more than a little stiffly - perhaps seeking to add to the film's "quirk" factor. If so, it's only partially successful, because while it certainly marks Placid as "different", it also distances the audience from the character. Still, given the film's strengths, it's difficult to be too critical of what is undoubtedly a deliberate choice by McNamara. Rose Byrne (who's so ubiquitous in contemporary Oz filmmaking, she's in danger of becoming a female Bill Hunter) is terrific as Gemma; but it's the trio of Gary McDonald, Miranda Richardson and Christopher Stollery who really round out the film. As Placid's parents and boss respectively, the three bring a flair for the peculiar that really propels the piece along. Mind you, Saskia Smit comes close to stealing their thunder as Placid's co-worker Jane. The sharp-eyed may also spot Lee's real-life girlfriend Claire Danes in a cameo appearance.

The Rage in Placid Lake is a thoroughly engaging film that goes some way to restoring faith in the Australian industry. McNamara shows that character and plot count for a lot more than a series of jokes cobbled together. Sure, there will be those who find his approach a little arch, or who will think that Placid gets exactly what he deserves; but this is a film that goes out on a limb, that takes some risks. And for that, he should be applauded. David Edwards

David Edwards