Claysaba
Excellent, Without a doubt!!
Borserie
it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.
Lucia Ayala
It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.
brandonbrooksby
The first half of the film was wonderful (I'd give it 9 stars)! It was witty, artistic, imaginative, and delt with really world issues. The characters were fresh and complex, and their conflicts and choices were intriguing.
However, halfway through it started to loose all of that, except some of the imaginative aspect, but in a style so unlike the rest of the film it's jarring.
Ian
(Flash Review)Combine Wes Anderson, Napoleon Dynamite, some surreal moments and you get a picture of the film's style. Greta is a girl about to turn 15 years old, who is shy and doesn't have many friends and has no intention of changing her ways until her parents throw her a big 15th birthday party that threaten her comfort zone. Once threatened, her imagination runs wild! Energetic little film from Australia. Full of bold colors, fun costumes, peculiar characters, meaningful shot framing and odd creativity. My main problem with the film is after a great build up and plot development, to me, the director loses command of the story. It feels a bit scattered or the tone switches too much for my taste but maybe that is part of his intent. Overall, it was a very fun experience.
conan-2
I was pleasantly surprised by this lovely stage adaptation. The first thing you get in this movie is the opening scene. I do not know how long it was but it is one continuous static shot with two kids talking, in the background lots of little activities pass by which keep the long shot interesting. To have two young actors do such a long piece is worth the price of admission.The movie is set in the 1970's, it is not stated at the beginning but the art direction is fantastic. The outside shots, dressed sets and clothing are detailed and layered. The colours pop in the burnt orange and browns of the day. Though growing up in Sydney I do not remember the beret/tea cosy hats some of the boys wore, (may be an Adelaide thing).I do question their target market. It was an adult play with adults playing the children. The age-appropriate cast are brilliant. I fear it is not going to grab the young audience as would something like Red Dog or Paper Planes. Also, there is a little swearing which will prevent school excursions. There is some adult subtext but it is reasonably safe. Being chased by a daddy-monster... ? Go and enjoy. It is not a mainstream flick but you will enjoy it.
finchsam
Girl Asleep starts as a stylish coming of age "dramedy" about a misfit teenage girl named Greta who is bullied by three girls at school. Befriended by fellow misfit Elliot, the two form a sweet bond early in Act I where the audience is also introduced to Greta's colorful family which includes a quirky mom, a corny joke-telling dad and an apathetic older sister. Once the 2nd Act gets started, the story starts to gradually deviate and by the time Act III comes around, there's almost a complete shift in mood and genre. What was a light and fun narrative had become this kind of darkly juvenile fantasy adventure; it's disruptive and actually really strange.
