A SAVAGE CHRISTMAS

Australia, 2023, 92 minutes, Colour.

Thea Raveneau, Max Jahufer, Helen Thomson, David Roberts, Ryan Morgan, Darren Gilshenan, Gary Sweet, Rachel Griffiths.

Directed by Madalyn Dyer.

The title is correct. First of all, because the family name is Savage. Secondly, the interactions between members of the family are often quite savage.

This is a Christmas story, the familiar tale of a family gathering to celebrate together. But, as with those so many stories of families gathering together for a meal and interaction, some of the behaviour and attitudes can be quite upsetting.

We are immediately introduced to Davina and Kane (Thea Raveneau and Max Juhafeer, Max being one of the script writers) walking up the drive of Davina’s parents’ property. We are instantly alerted. The couple look to be transgender. And they are. And, we realise that this will be significant for the Christmas discussions, especially as we learn that Davina has not been home for three years and her family has not yet met Kane, her partner, a vet.

When we meet the parents, played by Helen Thomson and David Roberts, we are immediately put on the critical alert. They seem something like caricatures of wealthy people, self-absorbed, making a fuss hoping that Christmas will go well. We have glimpsed their oldest son, Jamie (Ryan Morgan), being physically threatened to pay back a loan. We have seen their daughter, LeIa (Rekha Ryan), on the phone, being abandoned by her husband and children. And, here they all are for Christmas.

While we are curious about Jamie and Leo, it is being relationship between Davina and her parents that is all important. On their Christmas tree, there are photos of their children when they were young, Davina a top footballer, David, in his school days, destined to be a champion, the pride of his father who was also a football champion. Jamie did police work but now wants to be a songwriter, rapper. Leo is upset, trying to show a brave face in pretence.

When Jamie wants to get money from his parents’ safe, he discovers a number of letters, indicating that David and Leia were adopted, Leia not knowing this till now. Added to the party is the over-cheerful uncle Dick (Darren Gilshennan) who also reveals some family secrets. And, if this was not enough, the bully threatening Jamie turns up for the dinner, and played by Gary Sweet.

The rest of the action is a combination of the violent and the farcical, and much of the action transferring to hospital after the set-to. And Rachel Griffiths as an overworked nurse. But, and this does not always happen of course, there is the possibility for some truth-telling, some admission of feelings, some possibilities for reconciliation. (But continuing the farcical tone where the father’s prized football medal is enough guarantee for repaying Jamie’s loan – except that the mother’s pet Chihuahua has swallowed the medal, everybody participating in an anxious vigil.

Underneath the satiric and sometimes farcical presentation, the film is urging audiences to think more deeply about identity and relationships.

1. The title? Expectations, savage tone? Christmas spirit?
2. A Christmas film, family reunion, Christmas dinner – this Savage family, savage interactions?
3. The location, the property, the drive, the house, the grounds, the interiors? The hospital? Musical score?
4. The opening, the property, the drive, Davina and Kane arriving, walking? The into cutting of Peter and his demands on Jimmy? James and Brenda, owning the property, wealth, the new, the initial impression for the audience, the arrival of Jimmy Jr, the arrival of layer, her previous phone call and her husband not coming, the arrival of Dick, Santa Claus, the Christmas snow? Impressions of the family?
5. The transgender theme? Divina, the change, background is David, champion football player, her father support and dreams, adopted, coming out, career, the television chef show, the relationship with Kane, Kane Tran is, vet? The relationship? Acceptance, clashes, the Christmas tree with the photos of the children? Presence at the dinner, interactions, Kane and the Sri Lankan dish, Brenda getting the dog to eat it?
6. The revelations, Jimmy needing $20,000, layer opening the safe, no money, finding the letters, the discovery of the adoption, the effect on layer? Jimmy, police work, becoming a rap singer, bursting into song? The revelation that Dick was his father, the effect on Brenda, on James?
7. The arrival of Peter, his demands, the gun, the threats, at the table?
8. James, his reputation as a footballer, Divina as David, playing the football match?
9. The interactions, comic, satiric, the violence, the chandeliers and Brenda, Divina overpowering Peter? Dick and his being hurt? Calling the ambulance?
10. The hospital, the cameo by Rachel Griffiths is the nurse, worn out, saying Brenda had gone, meaning upstairs? Brenda and her recovery, Peter in the next bed, his sons present, dig in the further bed? Interchanges?
11. The issue of the medal, Peter wanting it, the presence of the dog, Brenda’s pet, taking all the tablets, swallowing the medal, finally getting the medal?
12. The final part of the film, all the resolutions, bonding, admitting the truth, a future?