A monumental discourse on crafting agonizing tension with intelligent dialogue and inspired acting.

gonzalez_adam

A lion returns is one of the best Australian films in recent memory. Serhat Caradee's follow up to cedar boys provides a monumental discourse on crafting agonizing tension with intelligent dialogue and inspired acting.

What would appear to be a non universal storyline of a middle eastern Muslim family and the radicalization of a returned family member, is made to be incredibly relatable with an emphasis on family and the ties that bond, with such is the masterstoke of Caradee's script, direction & the outstanding performances by each actor. Caradee's work conveys notes of Coen brothers, Tarantino & Fincher. The angst & tension builds and builds to an uneasy but necessary climax.

The success of the movie relies heavily on the acting of brothers Jamal (Tyler De Nawi) and Omar (Danny Elacci). Their execution & onscreen chemistry provides almost a documentary feel, painfully real and authentic; the actors appear as though they had lived their experiences, which is testament to how incredible their performances are.

Tyler's eyes show a pain and torture that is remarkably believable. Eyes are the window of the soul. Michael Caine once said that if an actor feels the emotion internally then it will show in the eyes, otherwise your eyes will betray you.

Danny Elacci's performance is mesmerizing. The subtlety, emotion & authenticity coupled with the incredible on screen physicality of a man carrying the entire weight of his family, one can only imagine he was drawing this from personal experience. On screen non verbal physicality is a trait highly under-utilized and straight out of the pages of Brando & Caine. It's intelligent acting and Danny shows he's a well versed and seasoned professional.

The acting by all cast members are well and truly the best of 2020. The script and direction is bold, innovative and incomparable to any Australian film in the past decade. Caradee and crew deserve alll the accolades coming their way.

score 9/10

gonzalez_adam 17 November 2020

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw6279248/