Felony is the story of Malcolm Toohey (Joel Edgerton) who is an exemplary detective, a hero to his peers. On the way home from celebrating his most recent success, a moment in time sees his whole world change.
Tired, and with one too many drinks on board, Toohey clips a young boy on a bicycle who is out delivering the morning newspapers. Toohey’s training sees him immediately call an ambulance. But when two detectives arrive he is faced with a dilemma, to own up or not.
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| Felony Joel Edgerton |
Detective constable Jim Melic (Jai Courtney) an idealistic young detective, soon starts to wonder about Toohey’s involvement. Meanwhile seasoned detective sergeant Carl Summer (Tom Wilkinson) offers an alternative approach. Toohey’s wife Julie (Melissa George) also buys in with the perspective of the mother of his children. Soon Toohey is not the only one caught up in what began as an accidental event.
‘The lie is the easy road, the dishonesty and time are the heavier weight,’ explained Edgerton, ‘it creates a ripple effect that effects people’s lives.’
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| Felony |
As you would expect from such an international cast, the acting is superb. Tom Wilkinson in particular is wonderful as the jaded cop who gets to deliver some great lines such as ‘time and the world swallows events’, and Joel Edgerton agreed …
‘I was quite envious of Tom and all his speeches, it was a risk that my role would turn into a series of long faces, but it was fine and I got a front row seat to watch Tom work,’ said Edgerton.
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| Felony Tom Wilkinson |
Jai Courtney is wonderful as the fresh detective constable who’s at the beginning of his career, focused on the rule book and happy to be travelling on the outside of the herd.
‘Aussies hate people who live their lives by the rule book and he’s a cop who lives by the rules so that’s two reasons to hate him,’ joked Edgerton.
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| Felony Jai Courtney |
Put the three men together and the movie suggests the audience is looking at the three phases of a man’s life or career. How over time we move from fresh, idealistic employees to the middle ground and finally the more jaded perspective.
Melissa George’s character has a small but pivotal role, which Edgerton explained came later in development.
‘It was a late discovery that she would be a nurse and that we would show her opinion.’
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| Felony Melissa George |
I’ve been a fan of Joel Edgerton’s work for many years and still list Kinky Boots as one of my all-time favourites. The fact that he wrote, produced and starred in this film epitomises someone with a passion for their work and a determination to see things through to the end. Inspirational or what?
Director Matthew Saville (Noise) has given the movie a realistic feel, with parts reminding me of The Slap which he was also involved in.
Some of the things the movie left us pondering about were:
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That lies are rarely contained to the main players, they soon entwine a multitude of others.
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Just when you think you might have got away with something you probably haven’t.
- Always take a moment to think about what you feel is the right thing to do, rather than taking advice from others, even if they mean well.
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In society is it better to fly solo or joining the herd?
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How precarious life is, a single moment can change everything.
Having been out so much lately I was looking forward to a night at home, but that wasn’t to be on Monday when I went to see Felony, and I’m so pleased I did. It’s a captivating, thought provoking thriller that I hope you get to see soon.
Stay tuned for a QA session with Joel Edgerton and Matthew Saville.
