A 16-year-old girl, Grace (Odessa Young), disappears; as do several thousand dollars. Her parents Denise and Dan (Radha Mitchell and Richard Roxburgh) are naturally worried and call authorities. The story unfolds gradually through the perspectives of the various players – the girl, her parents, a truckie etc. – until, we, the audience piece together just what has happened. The mood and tone of the film changes as the different vantage points are revealed.
The idea for Looking for Grace came to writer and director Sue Brooks (Japanese Story, Road to Nhill) after she read an article about teenage girls who had stolen money from their parents’ safe and run away. Brooks was intrigued by the idea that teenagers think what belongs to their parents belongs to them too. Further, the notion of different story threads in the one film had been the source of long-term fascination for her. This isn’t a movie about a heroic journey, rather just life unfolding without a grand plan.
The problem is, aside from the beautiful landscape cinematography, Looking For Grace is, at times, decidedly soporific. In fact, I did fall asleep while watching it, if only briefly. It is not as if the performances are terrible, not at all, but I believe the filmmakers got their timing wrong. While they may have been looking to craft a profoundly moving story, I’m afraid I didn’t really come to care enough about any of the characters. In other words, interest in what I was seeing was severely lacking. I wasn’t involved to the extent that I should have been for a film that seemed to hint that more was on offer.
I can understand why an artsy movie such as this would receive selection at the Venice, Toronto and Chicago Film Festivals but, apart from the filmmakers’ family and friends, I can’t see it garnering a sizeable audience. Looks can be deceiving, and while the lovingly constructed shots of the West Australian wheat belt might draw you in to what promises to be an engaging mystery, the wash up is hardly worth the effort. So greatest plaudits go to cinematographer Katie Milwright.
Also starring Terry Norris as a close to retired investigator, Looking for Grace, rated M, scores a 5 out of 10.
Director: Sue Brooks
Cast: Richard Roxburgh, Radha Mitchell, Odessa Young, Terry Norris, Julia Blake, Tasma Walton, Kenya Pearson, Harry Richardson
Release Date: 26 January 2016
Rating: M – Mature themes and coarse language
Alex First
David Edwards is the editor of The Blurb and a contributor on film and television