Jeri Jacquin
Coming to theatres from writer/director Jennifer Kent and
IFC Films comes a story that will have everyone talking about THE NIGHTINGALE.
It is 1825 Australia
Lt. Hawkins himself is an unhappy man, unhappy with his
post, life and that Clare continues to request that she be set free. Once again
she is denied and Aidan doesn’t understand his hold. Deciding to speak with Lt.
Hawkins himself, it becomes an evening of unspeakable horror.
The next morning Clare attempts to find justice for her
family and discovers that Lt. Hawkins and his men have packed up and left for a
post in the north. That is when she decides to go after them all to hold them
accountable. Needing a guide she is directed toward Aboriginal tracker Billy
(Baykali Ganambarr) who really wants nothing to do with her.
Given no choice, Clare holds Billy at gunpoint as they see
each other without much care. Clare sees a black man who should do as he is
told and Billy sees a white woman who comes from a group of people who have
killed his.
As they come closer to finding Lt. Hawkins and company, a
bond begins to form as their lives are in danger. They both have stories of their
lives and finally share with one another. In those stories they discover that
pain knows no color or geography.
Finally coming face to face with Lt. Hawkins, both must make
a decision on how to handle their pain.
Franciosi as Clare is stunning, emotional, frightening and
absolutely stellar in her role. I have to be quite honest and say I’m not sure
how any woman given that time period would have handled what this character
went through. That being said, Franciosi portrayal of Clare is riveting and feels
very honest. She had me tense and holding my breath every scene of the film.
Brilliant!
Ganambarr as Billy plays his character straight forward as
an aboriginal who has been denied his country, heritage, family and sense of
self. He is angry and has every right to be but once he learns Clare’s story,
there is a change that happens with an understanding that is clear and
powerful. I was taken with Ganambarr’s performance and it is one I am not
likely to ever forget.
Claflin as Lt. Hawkins is just plain evil from start to
finish and that is so surprising for me. I am so use to Claflin playing roles
like THE HUNGER GAMES, THE HUNTSMAN, ME BEFORE YOU and ADRIFT that this role
out and out shocks me in its brutality. These all had to be a difficult role and
Claflin as the heavy plays a character that knows his wrongs but continues to
do them anyway.
Other cast include Damon Herriman as Ruse, Harry Greenwood
as Jago, Ewen Leslie as Goodwin, Charlie Shotwell as Eddie, Matthew Sunderland
as Davey, Magnolia Maymuru as Lowanna, Christopher Stollery as Major Bexley,
Nathaniel Dean as Stoakes, Claire Jones as Harriet, Luke Carroll as Archie and
Charlie Jampijinpa Brown as Uncle Charlie.
THE NIGHTINGALE has won at Venice
This film is brutal, even savage, in its telling and in the
mix is colonialism, an attempt to extinguish a race, disgusting treatment of
women and the insanity of it all on a person. I can’t recall the last time I
had my hand over my mouth so many times during a film to keep in the yell that
wanted to escape.
It is a story of Clare and Billy and the clear truth that
they do not know their worth until their worth is made clear. Unfortunately the
knowledge comes by way of pain and hardship. Franciosi and Ganambarr give their
characters humanity in the midst of madness.
The writer/director Jennifer Kent has told a tale that wears
down the viewer with a cast that brings everything to the screen. I am in awe
of everyone who took part in this film. This won’t be an easy film for anyone
to watch but that shouldn’t stop it from being seen and I believe that!
In the end – her song won’t be silenced!
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