The Popkorn Junkie :: In the Winter Dark

You've probably never heard of this film, and that is understandable. This movie was completed in early 1999 and is only now seeing the very limited light of day. I think, more than likely, HBO or Showtime will pick it up and possibly air it, because it is certainly receiving a less that warm welcome in the mainstream theatre going public. I don't understand why? This is a pretty good flick.

Based on the novella by Tim Winton, "In the Winter Dark" is one of those movies that defies explanation, as in it is not your usual type of film--it is weird and brooding. There are four cast members in the film, all friends, who decide to investigate the strange slaughters of some farm animals in rural Australia. Brenda Blethyn and Richard Roxburgh (yes, the villain from "Moulin Rouge") are the two primary characters in the film, alongside the outstanding Ray Barrett and Miranda Otto. Once the investigations begin, one of the characters (I won't reveal which one) begins sinking into the darkest sides of human nature.

First of all, this film was incredibly creepy. It kind of seemed like a hybrid between "The Mothman Prophecies" and "Fire in the Sky", with some added drama and a deeper plot. The scenes involving the actual mutilations were horrifying and unexpected, catching me completely off guard. Director James Bogle does a fantastic job with building the suspense early on, mellowing the film out a bit, and then hitting us hard with it again towards the end.

Secondly, the performances in this film were somewhat juggled around. Brenda Blethyn (as usual) is fabulous, as is Ray Barrett, who I will certainly start watching in the future. Richard Roxburgh is also good, but doesn't give nearly as powerful a performance as he did in "Moulin Rouge". Alas, Miranda Otto drags the film down a little because: (1) she is not a very gifted actor, and (2) her character is really the least developed and least important.

Finally, the extremely tiny cast creates more tension and a feeling of claustrophobia that carries throughout the film, adding something special. The audience gets a chance to experience what the characters are feeling and learn what drives them to do what they do. When a director uses such a small cast, it is their obligation to add more development to the characters, a task not easily completed. However, James Bogle gives us wonderful characters who we grow to enjoy and gives us ample reason to keep our focuses on the screen before us.

It disappoints me that this film will not get much attention. Sure, it wasn't a perfect film, but it was still worthy of a wider distribution and audience. I hope HBO picks it up, because it would fit well on that station and be given a chance at longevity. If not, however, you will have to wait until video, and I am sure it will probably be difficult to find even when it is released.

"In the Winter Dark" was a big surprise for me and I am certainly glad I had the opportunity to see it. I recommend it highly, though I am sure you will discover some of the same flaws as I. Help spread the word about this film and maybe it will receive a little more popularity that it is currently. It deserves it.

-- Billy Ray ( 3 out of 4 pops )

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