Currently in limited release, Of an Age is a sensitive coming-of-age drama told in two time frames.
The film opens in 1999 and Kol (Elias Anton) is three weeks off turning 19. He is friends with hyperactive Ebony (Hattie Hook), who wakes by the water’s edge at a beach in Altona dazed and confused. Using a pay phone, she puts in a desperate call to Kol to fetch her so they can get to the final of their ballroom dancing competition. But try as he might, by calling Ebony’s older brother Adam (Thom Green) to help, it’s too late. She’s in no fit state to do anything, regardless of the fact that the pair is out of time to compete.
Serbian-born Kol, who arrived in Australia at the age of 12, finds himself bonding with Adam over literature and music. Adam is intelligent, gentle and caring. Kol is intrigued, even more so when Adam makes it known that he is gay. In the matter of a few hours, the pair falls hard for one another. But then Adam has to leave the country because he is studying abroad for his PhD. Circumstances see them meet up again 11 years later.
Of an Age has been brilliantly conceived and executed by writer-director Goran Stolevski, who took me on a walk down memory lane reflecting the late ‘90s. He readily moves between frenzied and thoughtful with the three key figures in the movie. Melbourne is like another character in the film and the judgment isn’t all that flattering.
There is a great sense of empathy in terms of the characterisations of Kol and Adam. The two actors do a magnificent job. Green is a real charmer as the patient Adam, while the naivete and enthusiasm of youth distinguishes Anton. Hook is simply a hoot as the narcissistic Ebony. Peals of audience laughter rang out every time she was on screen.
The film benefits from Matthew Chuang’s close-up cinematography – enabling the audience to “get inside” Kol and Adam’s heads – and an evocative score. The only issue I had with Of an Age was the lack of clarity in the sound – specifically the dialogue – which was, at times, muffled.
Notwithstanding that, overall the movie is a mature work, adroitly handled with warmth and compassion.
Alex First
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- The Hummingbird Project – movie review
- Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché – movie review
- Words on Bathroom Walls – movie review
Alex First is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.