Inspired by real life events, Take My Hand is a heart-wrenching love story that spans decades.
Laura (Meg Fraser) is still a schoolgirl – whose father teaches history – when she meets and falls for Michael (Xavier Molyneux), the football-playing son of a Greek greengrocer. She loves riding horses on the family’s country property, but dreams of leaving rural life behind. Laura and Michael are inseparable until she receives news that she’s been accepted into a prestigious London university. While she agonises over what to do, Michael encourages her to go, saying she’ll never forgive herself if she doesn’t. And so life intervenes.
Both marry other partners and start families. Laura (now played by Radha Mitchell) forges a successful corporate career in the UK. Two decades pass before Laura and Michael (now Adam Demos) meet again. By then, she – like her mother – has multiple sclerosis and the road ahead is looking rocky. That doesn’t prevent Michael from saying and doing all the right things. With both sets of eyes open, their relationship blossoms anew.
Take My Hand pulls at the heartstrings from the get-go. It’s an against-the-odds story, with many impediments to be overcome. In his directorial debut, John Raftopoulos also wrote the screenplay along with Dave Paterson. The story grew out of Raftopoulos reuniting with the love of his life, Claire Jensz.
It’s a beautifully shot movie. Cinematographer Wade Muller has done a fine job, showcasing the glorious Northern Rivers. The music bed by Angela Little ratchets up the emotion.
The performances give the movie heart and soul. Meg Fraser, who brings zest and expectation to the role as teenage Laura. Xavier Molyneux is cast as young Michael. He comes across as considerate and caring. Rahda Mitchell transitions an older Laura well from being caught up in the hurly-burly to seeing her world collapse and having to recalibrate. Adam Demos maintains Michael’s good guy image, his older Michael being charming and personable. Among the other standouts is Darren Gilshenan as Laura’s no-nonsense father, Peter; while Natalie Bassingthwaighte takes on a small role as Laura’s sister, Rachel.
From the earliest frames you can see where the film is headed. It’s just a question of how and when it gets there (and that’s where the drama comes in). That takes nothing away from the fact that I was along for the ride. In other words, I was willing it to happen, which is a sure sign that the movie was affecting for me.
MS is an insidious disease, which remains incurable. While not avoiding that in any way, Take My Hand gifts warmth and hope. It says that notwithstanding the impact multiple sclerosis has, people who actively care can make a world of difference.
Alex First
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Alex First is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.