Till Human Voices Wake Us

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, Bitter-Sweet Memories of Childhood:
Review: 'Till human voices wake us, and we drown.' This film's title comes from TS Eliot's poem 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock' which the heroine of the film loves to read. Like Eliot's poem, 'Till Human Voices Wake Us,' small Australian film is moody and intelligent though too slow for some people.

And very romantic. If you consider yourself a cynical person, don't watch this. In the summer of small village in Austlaria, a 15-year-old boy Sam comes back from the school. He meets Silvy again after long years, who is now experiencing a complete change into womanhood. They spend quiet and blissful time together in the wood, or by the river, like two innocent kids would. Then, something happens and Silvy is gone forever.

Cue to 20 years later. Now grown-up Sam (Guy Pearce) , a psychiatrist in Melboune University, receives a note, which brings him back to the village after 20 years. In this place full of bitter memories, he meets a woman Ruby (Helena Bonham Carter), who lost her memories after the shock of diving into the river. Sam, trying to help regain her memories, finds himself slowly attracted to her, and himself starts to accept his painful past.

You cannot accuse the film of too thin plot. The identity of Ruby is not a big mystery from the first, and the film does not attempt to hide the fact. Writer and director Michael Petroni clearly intends the film to be more atomospheric and symbolic than usual romances, for example, introducing many references to words (Ruby later turns out one such instance). The water plays significant role, so does butterfly, or the image of 'flying' (the young girl needed an aid to walk). I don't say they are put in the right places, but the ideas are pretty interesting.

But the most charms of the film come from the two leads, Carter and Pearce, who should stay away from any Sci-fi films in the future (no more apes, please, both of you). But more remarakable is the young actress Brooke Harman, who played Sylvie, who, in spite of her youth, is curiously seductive. Do not miss her.

Mostly too slow, and too talky at the same time, but that is the point of the film, which successfully conveys the bitter-sweet feelings of our lost childhood. And the images are beautiful, and so is Helena Bonham Carter.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely beautiful
Review: A poignant film full of small moments and a blending of worlds. I like a movie that does not rush, one where you can feel the breath of the actors. This film's gift is that it moves in grief's Slow Time, and I especially recommend watching it if you've been there. A beautiful and healing story.

Rating:
Summary: Finally - a movie with some depth
Review: I first saw this movie by chance on a flight from DC to London. It was 2:00 am in my home time zone, but once the movie started I was wide awake till it ended. So much about this movie is so deep, intellectually and emotionally. The acting and photography are sublime. One of the best movies I've seen in years.

Rating:
Summary: Good ....but not for eveyone
Review: I liked this DVD even though it is somewhat slow and predictable. The story is interesting and well told. It's basically a story about a man who has repressed his emotions and stopped taking chances because of a traumatic childhood event. The details of this film are enticing, and the memories haunting. It is a rather dark and heavy movie, and the end is bittersweet but satisfying. I'm glad I watched it.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful psychological drama
Review: I'll be the first to admit that this movie is not for everyone. As the previous reviewer stated, it is not for those looking for a lot of action. However, I believe true film buffs will thoroughly enjoy this movie. It is a beautifully filmed and acted look at how we deal with love and loss. I was touched on many levels by this film, and I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful psychological drama
Review: I'll be the first to admit that this movie is not for everyone. As the previous reviewer stated, it is not for those looking for a lot of action. However, I believe true film buffs will thoroughly enjoy this movie. It is a beautifully filmed and acted look at how we deal with love and loss. I was touched on many levels by this film, and I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Elegiac and beautiful
Review: It is almost impossible to describe the immersive feeling you get from this movie. Too slow? plodding? Not at all. If you don't have the patience to sit and allow the rain, the stars, and the moonlight in this movie to wash over you you probably won't get the ending anyway. This movie is for people with poetry in their soul and who can spend an evening lying on the grass watching the stars. I waited 2 years for this to release and it was worth every moment.

Rating:
Summary: Elegiac and beautiful
Review: It is almost impossible to describe the immersive feeling you get from this movie. Too slow? plodding? Not at all. If you don't have the patience to sit and allow the rain, the stars, and the moonlight in this movie to wash over you you probably won't get the ending anyway. This movie is for people with poetry in their soul and who can spend an evening lying on the grass watching the stars. I waited 2 years for this to release and it was worth every moment.

Rating:
Summary: Painfully Beautiful
Review: Not only the story being beautiful, the movie is beautifully done in terms of music, images, and story's structure. Similar sweetness and sadness are seen in the movie "My Girl"(1991).

It appears to be a mystic story, but it is rather realistic when thinking of how humans interpret all situations quite subjectively. To more honestly we live, the more subjective we become. The story itself is very sad, but because of its sadness the movie is painfully beautiful. I would imagine this one can be hard to watch for some people who are dealing with a great deal of grief.


Rating:
Summary: Not predictable
Review: This film is not predictable because it presents nothing to predict. From the moment the story opens until the very end we know the plot but what baffles is the outcome, will he or will he not be able to let go of his past? This question haunts us all the way through the film until the chilling end that leaves you wanting more.
This is truely an amazing story about one boys trajic youth that haunts him through his adult years.