Crushed (2015)

My opinion

There are already a number of Australian films that made an indelible impression on me. Even such an impression that I’ve become a little fan of movies originating from this part of the world. Perhaps “Crushed” is the first minor disappointment. Not because it’s an ordinary murder mystery with all associated developments and  necessary turns. But simply because there was something missing to make a perfect investigators story. And that’s suspense, tension and mystery. It wasn’t so to speak exciting and the outcome of the whole story was just predictable. The only surprising part was the quite violent and bloody ending. Actually, I didn’t see that one coming.

Ellia (Sarah Bishops) returns to her family after hearing the terrible news of her father’s death. Apparently a heavy barrel fell on the head of this vineyard owner in Australia. The result isn’t a persistent hangover, but a fatal skull fracture. Ellia left quietly after the death of her twin brother and she has been incommunicado with her family since then. Not surprisingly, the initial contacts appeared to be rather coolly. Not to say hostile. As it turns out that her dad seems to be murdered, her mother Sophie (Roxane Wilson) started to mess around with an uncle (Les Hill) in the Australian bushes and gets arrested because the police finds it suspicious that she wants to sell the family business, Ellia gets caught up in a complicated puzzle.

Despite the abundance of subjects and the sometimes disappointing acting, there were also some good sides to this film. The used images were excellent from time to time. And the denouement was surprisingly brutal with an unprecedented number of casualties as a result. Most notable and outstanding role was played by Remy Brand as the timid and emotionally hurt brother Zac. The only thing that started to annoy me were the amount of consumed glasses of wine. I realize that there is a link with a vineyard, but at one point I had the feeling that wine was the only beverage they could drink there. Or the climate is causing an insufferable thirst. It wasn’t exactly real added value. It’s just that I constantly wondered whether she had a drinking problem or not. Are you a fan of a typical detective story, now happening in the land of kangaroos, then it is worth to see it.