Somersault

Australia

2004

106 Min

Color

1.85:1

English

Currently 3.4/5 Stars.
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CAST Abbie Cornish, Sam Worthington, Lynette Curran, Erik Thomson, Nathaniel Dean, Hollie Andrew, Leah Purcell, Olivia Pigeot, Damian de Montemas, Blake Pittman, Toby Schmitz, Henry Nixon

SOUND Sam Petty

Cannes (Un Certain Regard), Toronto, Locarno, AFI FEST (International Competition), Karlovy Vary, Edinburgh, Melbourne, SXSW, Cine//B (Australia: Imperfect Paradise)

Synopsis

Set at the foot of the Australian ski fields, Somersault is the story of a young girl’s sensory journey through which she learns the true meaning of love, family and friendship. Living with her mother, sixteen year old Heidi (Abbie Cornish) looks to short-lived sexual encounters for the physical and emotional contact she craves.

Fleeing Canberra for Jindabyne, she meets Joe (Sam Worthington), the son of a wealthy local farmer that leads to a developing romance in all its complexity. Joe’s relationship with Heidi challenges his ideas of sexuality, class and his future. Illuminated by the lives of others and the power of forgiveness, Heidi discovers she is much more than she had realized.

Somersault marks the important arrival of a gifted writer and director and a new voice in Australian filmmaking.

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Antuerius

20Oct11

At the risk of insensitivity, or failed sentiment, I am weary of class alienation written across the adolescent white slaver market. Conditions are blinded by polite camera treatments and soundtrack driven kindness in nature. The object of revolt gets sold off to the aristocracy of appearances. Market emotion goes cheap in colonial status quo, and notional character bases out in mediocrity.

kelawer and DeJardinblum like this

Justin Oakey

23Aug11

"Somersault" is a gorgeous little incursion into the life of a teenage girl struggling with sexuality and identity. Beautifully photographed and perfectly executed. The camera movement and genuine characters really sold the realist aesthetic. And on top of it all there is Abbie Cornish's heartbreaking performance.