Hounds Of Love- Review
I've been hanging out for ages to see this movie, ever since I went to see Trainspotting 2 and saw the trailer for it. The anticipation was killing me but I finally cleared my schedule to see it. I wasn't disappointed either.
This movie was directed by Ben Young and featured the talents of Stephen Curry, Ashleigh Cummings and Emma Booth.
The general synopsis of this movie follows a disturbed couple and their nocturnal activities in the 1980s. One of these activities is mysteriously linked to the disappearances of young women and the abduction of another with an uncertain fate. Now, if you aren't familiar, this movie was filmed in Perth and was inspired by actual events: The Birnie Murders. Just a small history lesson here: The Birnie's were a serial killer couple who were active during the 80s with four confirmed dead females and possibly countless others that they were never convicted of. THIS is why I wanted to see this film so bad, because I love crime and I knew that they were taking inspiration from a real life case.
The performances: Stephen Curry played the role of John White, one half of the serial killer duo and a sadist accompanied by a raging temper. I haven't actually seen a lot of Stephen's work, mostly advertisements and roles in comedy shows like Open Slather so it was nice to see him in something else. I can't help but feel that he is a little under appreciated as an actor, as he really takes time and care with his roles. Watching him in this movie made me more aware of just how much time and care he put in. The outcome of that was successful, as he was able to scare me a little throughout this film.
Emma Booth played the role of Evelyn White, the second half of the serial killer duo. Unlike her lover, John, Eveyln is seemingly sensitive and acts as if she has something to prove. Characteristically, she'd do anything to please John but is rendered hopeless when he yells at her, ignores her or places his attention elsewhere. I have never actually seen Emma in any other acting roles aside from this film and even though she did a good job in this movie, I felt at times she was a little unrealistic. Not one of my favourite characters but nonetheless, a good job.
Ashleigh Cummings played the role of Vicki Maloney, a high school student dealing with her parents' divorce and a victim of abduction by John and Evelyn White. Her character is inspired by the Birnie's last victim, Kate Moir. To me, I think Ashleigh's non-verbal acting outshone her verbal acting. She was able to make me feel scared, strange and relieved all in one. She's also been in a few other notable Australian films such as Tomorrow When The War Began and Pork Pie.
The only real problem I had with this film was the running time. Don't get me wrong, the ideas were all presented within the time but at parts I just felt that it was dragging on a bit or there were some useless scenes. I didn't really understand a major significance in the role of Gary, an adult bully. Then again, sometimes films just need a little bit of filler to balance it up.
By the ending of this film, I realised my mouth had made an "O" shape. Just when you thought you knew everything and the possible events that would occur (I read up on all the case files of the Birnie Murders), and what I was expecting to see...changed. The director's vision of the ending actually shocked me. A good play on Ben's part, very well played.
If you're in need of a satisfying crime/ thriller to watch, go give this one a view and see how you like it. I'm not gonna suggest reading or not reading up on the Birnie Case before or afterwards, but it does help with some insight and will definitely tell you about the creative influence and ideas.
Score: 8.5/10.