When you hear about a drama/comedy movie shot in the NSW northern beaches and starring an array of Aussie movie legends, how can you say no? Throw in an important mental health message and a chance to see the lead actor introduce the movie, I was in my car and on my way to the preview of Palm Beach movie.
Opening at the most stunning home on the edge of a cliff looking out at a vast ocean scene, my meet Frank (Bryan Brown). He appears to have it all, a stunning home, gorgeous wife Charlotte (Gretta Scacchi) and children. Clearly he’s an extremely successful man. But an insignificant popping of pills and a few deep breaths suggests all is not well. Time to gather friends together.
As his friends arrive the all too familiar faces fill the screen, Richard E Grant, Aaron Jeffery, Jacqueline McKenzie, Heather Mitchell, Sam Neill, and Claire van der Boom along with Matilda Brown.
Over a few days the friends reminisce, laugh, cry, renew and reassess their friendships all around free flowing wine and lavish meals. But as with any gathering of old friends, deeply hidden issues start to surface, and it’s not long before a secret threatens to be revealed.
The familiarity of the actors makes Palm Beach feel like a lazy afternoon with good friends. It’s an absolute delight to watch them all together. The friendships, the brilliant soundtrack (which is available), and drama was reminiscent of another movie. Is Palm Beach baby boomers reincarnation of The Big Chill? As the credits rolled I pondered:
- Watching the bromance between Frank and Leo, that echos the real life friendship between Brown and Neill, is a treat. It makes you want to go seek out your best friend for a huge.
- While the movie definitely meets it’s aim of highlighting mental health and the importance of mates, it does fall down on some aspects. Perhaps it is the familiarity of the actors that makes it seem like we can see the acting. Or maybe it’s because we expect more from such screen luminaries, more than a simple story can offer them to show. Don’t get me wrong it’s still a good movie to go see, especially as a relief from the usual dark and gloomy options on offer about this subject.
- With distributors interested in this demographic here’s hoping we see these actors working together again.
An Australian production, the film was shot entirely on Sydney’s idyllic Northern Beaches around Palm Beach, Pittwater, and Barrenjoey Headland.
More information go to Luna Cinema
