The Snowtown Murders-2011

Director Justin Kurzel

Starring Lucas Pittaway, Daniel Henshall

Scott’s Review #57

Reviewed June 23, 2014

Grade: C+

The Snowtown Murders (2011) is an Australian film, based on a true story, of a charismatic, manipulative man who influences a family of misfits into following his murderous streak.

The film is helped by a group of very talented actors (unknowns to me) who successfully relay a sense of bleakness and despair in their lives and some fine, emotional acting makes this film slightly above average.

The entire look of the movie is dreary, raw, and hopeless, from the lighting to the camera shots. The details of the film are impressive- from the confined, dismal house the family lives in, and the unhealthy meals consumed, all are filled with a sense of chaos.

The Snowtown Murders pushes the envelope with the explicitness of the murders and torture scenes, so the viewer is left feeling uncomfortable.

The downside of the movie is that it drags at times and meanders along at a plodding pace adding to the discomfort.

I’m not sure if this is intentional or not, but it harmed me.