BLAME

Australia, 2010, 89 minutes. Colour.
Damian de Montemas, Sophie Lowe, Kestie Morassi, Simon Stone, Mark Leonard Winter, Ashley Zukerman, Saskia Hampele, Greg Mc Neill.
Directed by Michael Henry.

The action of this film takes place over a couple of hours. A music teacher finishes a class and drives home to his country house. He is attacked in his home by a masked group who attempt to kill him. As they speak and act, we hear some indications of who they are and why they are trying to kill the teacher. When one of them leaves his mobile phone behind, they decide to return to retrieve it, only to find that their victim is not dead. The process of killing him starts again but this time there is a lot more explanation, changes of attitudes in some of the characters, some revelations of secrets and lies, some truth and some final deceptions.

Audiences have a sympathy for the teacher who seems a decent type. We soon learn that his attackers are blaming him for the suicide of a student and of a sexual liaison with her. Our sympathies are challenged as we hear another side of the story. But, with a group of five in on the plan, it is much more complicated than that. In fact, our point of view is challenged several times as we learn more about all the characters.

The leader of the group is the sister of the dead girl who, deep down, is feeling guilty for not doing more to listen to her sister and her problems. She then feels guilty about not knowing the truth when she realises what has happened. The other girl in the attack is the dead girl’s best friend. We learn more about their relationship, though many in the audience might be suspicious about her involvement without quite knowing why. There are three young men involved. One is the dead girl’s boyfriend, a loud-mouth, a prone to violence type, who presumes guilt more on impulse than thought. Another is the dead girl’s brother who at first waits outside but then becomes more edgy and involved. The third man seems more secure but we find that he is rather easily led and manipulated and becomes more responsible for the complications which develop.

And, so the title? Who is to blame? And for what? The dead girl’s killing herself? Or for manipulations and deceptions?

The film was shot outside Perth and takes advantage of the bush settings and the isolated house, except for some tension as a postal delivery man turns up unexpectedly and the group have to evade detection – he leaves a note that he will come back later, and he does, which leads to more evasion and suspense for the characters and the audience. This is not just a suspense device because the contents of the package will reveal the truth.

A small Australian production, a bit repetitious and frantic at times. But, it does achieve what it set out to do, raises issues of revenge and violence, not thinking things through – and the dire consequences.

1. The title? As applied to each of the central characters? Acknowledging their blame or not?

2. The Western Australian settings, the opening in the school and the school hall, the piano? The country, the roads, the house and its detail, the countryside outside the house? The musical score?

3. The audience and sympathies, different sides of the stories, shifting perspectives, understanding the characters?

4. The issue of sexuality, exploitation, students under age, the teacher-student relationship, the responsibility of the teacher, the barriers? Breaking barriers? Seduction and consent?

5. The piano, the hall, the school, the class, Bernard and the student? The mood, pleasant, his drive home, the dog, shopping, the house, going inside, his music – confirming audience sympathy for him?

6. The arrival of the group, wearing masks, dressed in black, the intrusion, accosting Bernard, overpowering him, tying him up, the mystery, his plea, weeping? The crushing the tablets, forcing them down his throat? Waiting around for the result? Bernard as victim?

7. The group and the mystery of why they were there? The black clothes and masks? Their age, experience, the back-story, the revelation about Bernard and Alice, the liaison, she was sixteen? The relationships within the group, Alice’s sister and brother? Her suicide? Their all being at the wake, deciding on vengeance, the impulse decision, the lack of ethical grounding, driving to the house, their being tired and on edge?

8. Cate, as Alice’s sister, the leader, strength of character? John as her brother, relationship with him? Her relationship with the others? Natalie as a friend? Her being sure of herself, the tablets, Anthony’s contribution? The mobile phone going off and the criticism of Natalie? Leaving, sense of righteousness? The discovery of the absent mobile phone? The decision to return? Wary, the discovery of Bernard and his surviving? Cate and her rethinking, blaming herself for not listening to her sister, wondering what she could have done? Talking with Bernard? Beginning to believe him? The contrast with the others? Her explanation, setting Bernard free? Rodney and his delivery? The chase? Saving Bernard? Arguing with the group? The delivery and the DVD, her putting it in the machine, listening to Alice’s explanation, the explanation of Natalie and the relationship? Her being overwhelmed? Trying to prevent Bernard’s death, his being shot, blaming herself?

9. John, not involved, staying outside, the hesitation, observing, gradually becoming involved, change of moods, the return, his comments, the attack on Bernard? His listening to the versions of what happened? Not believing them? His own blame?

10. Nick, his relationship with Alice, his involvement with the group, motivation? Blunt, violent, aggressive in language? His acting on impulse, his angers, Bernard as a victim, being cruel? His loss of control? The return, the gun, the probably of attack? Cate taking the gun from him? His collapse?

11. Anthony, relying on his father and the medication, taking the tablets, the irony that they were paediatric? Leaving his mobile behind? Typing the confession on the computer? His hesitations, reliance on Natalie? Her urging him to shoot Bernard, his doing so?

12. Natalie, her involvement, audience suspicion of her or not? Her attack on Bernard? Hiding, urging the others on, Rodney’s visit, the dog? Bernard and his story, her lies about waiting outside, the DVD – and the revelation of the truth? Her vengeance and spite? Urging Anthony to kill Bernard?

13. Bernard, awakening after being drugged, crawling out to another room, his being tied up, wanting to go to the toilet, talking with the men, barring the door? Urging Natalie to tell the truth? His escape? His being shot?

14. Rodney, his friendship, chatter, no-one at the door, leaving the note? His return, Cate encountering him? Not seeing anything?

15. How effective a thriller? Psychological study?