This is an adaptation of the Tim Winton novel which Simon Baker took a big liking to. He’s one of the producers, the director, a lead character, and he even gave himself a writing credit. I’m not sure why anyone thinks they can improve on Winton, but his film acting and directing debuts have surprised.
It’s the mid seventies, and while Australia was churning politically, in a small West Australian town two 13 year-olds boys were growing up. And learning to surf. Pikelet (Samson Coulter) is a bit of a loner, likes to read and has a sedately happy family life. He’s best friends with Looney (Ben Spence) who doesn’t, and lives up to his name in more than just character. He teaches Pikelet how to face fear, and how to surf. They meet Sando (Simon Baker) who takes these grommets under his wing and out to his favourite secret surf spots. His wife, a bitter Eva (Elizabeth Debiki), resents his lack of attention and welcomes the attention she receives.
This is more of a ‘coming-of-age’ story than a surfing film. However, the water photography and surfing are amazing. (Rick Rifici, take a bow). They’re real tubes they’re pumping through, and it helps they cast actual surfers for the leads. I wasn’t sure this book would work as a film, as there’s a story line that isn’t followed and sounds more exciting than the one we do follow. Yet, it feels like it’s a very intensely personal journey of Pikelet that Winton takes us deeply into. (It became so sexually intense, two older couples left mid-screening). As simple and small the storyline is, it does question Sando’s Aussie masculinity and what became of the hippie era. The script has taken out of some of the darkness of the book’s ending, but I don’t mind its optimism.
A large part of this film’s impact is Baker’s direction. I liked the ragged way it was edited, and some shots lingered. He’s not afraid of silence. The music score worked well in the underwater and surfing scenes and was pulled back for most of the film. And all the performances were believable. Baker has pulled together a great production crew and has drawn strong performances.
Debiki has a difficult role to go from angry goddess to seductress but she is engaging. (Ask any 13 year old boy). Baker is perfect as Sando – a larrikin surfing legend who doesn’t want to grow up and face life’s disappointments. The two young leads are great as neither of them have acted before. Coulter might be quiet and awkward in parts, but it suits his character. Spence is a surprise. He’s quirky, fiery and plays Looney perfectly. Richard Roxburgh and Rachel Blake have never had easier roles.
It’s heartening to see an Australian film of such high quality on the screen. Winton’s stories are intense character studies which can be hard to translate to film, especially with his sudden endings. But it’s the quality of his writing and Baker’s direction and photography that have translated this novel beautifully to film.
This Breath is one worth taking in.
Con’s Score: 4 Waxheads
Con Nats – Theatre Now and On The Town
