[MIFF 2012 - Film #4]

Something I like about the Melbourne International Film Festival is how they'll do frequent ticket giveaways to sessions that aren't selling too well. That's how I got to see this little film that wasn't really on my radar.

The story has an inherent catharsis point in the third act and this film definitely delivers. The story is told very well, much of it was captured on film at the time and yet throughout the whole film I couldn't shake the feeling that this is nothing more than a very engaging This American Life episode. Or something from SBS' Four Corners program.

There was no real need for it to be a film - and the film almost admits it at points where a 'cinematic' image is shoe horned in to distract form the fact that we are just watching averagely framed and lit talking heads. It actually has the opposite effect, drawing attention to the fact that this has nothing cinematic to offer.

However, I cannot deny that the emotional payoff really works. The films puts you in Gertten's shoes and you really feel his frustration. When the story is resolved there is a real sense that a weight has been listen, and for that, this is worth your time.