There is just something about Australian films that gives them that raw, authentic edge. Refusing to play to Hollywood's standards, the 'genre' has produced some outstanding films; Justin Kurzel's Snowtown is a strong addition to the list.
Telling the true story of one of Australia's most notorious serial killers, Snowtown follows Jamie, a young adolescent, as he is taken under the wing of his mother's new boyfriend John. John is the center of a self-appointed neighborhood watch program that meets at his kitchen table every week, dissecting the neighbors habits and taking a vigilante approach to ridding the place of the scum. Jamie soon follows suit to his new father-figure, becoming John's accomplice in his wreckless spree of torture, pain, and murder.
The film, which could have easily turned into a haunting mystery, keeps things level throughout its entirety. Blood and gore play second to story and character development as director Justin Kurzel works hard to bring the characters to the forefront.
The end result is a miraculous work of cinema. The mere presence of John sends tingles up your spine as you feel a turning in your gut at the mere thought of the damage he can cause. And profiling him through the eyes of an innocent bystander-turned-accomplice is extraordinary. Much like Animal Kingdom a few years ago, Snowtown is a must see. It really is as simple as that.
