Accidents Happen

(M) Hopscotch DVD

An acerbic look at familial dysfunction in suburbia, this is an excellent debut feature from Australian writer/director Andrew Lancaster.

Geena Davis headlines a cast of Australian actors. It may be the first time a film has been shot in Australia that is meant to look like a small town American suburb in the ’70s and ’80s.

The Conway family has had its unfair share of bad things happen. Youngest son Billy (the astonishing Harrison Gilbertson) bears witness to most of the unfortunate accidents — one of which killed his sister and put his other brother in 24 hour care — and as a result he has some dysfunction of his own.

Known to scour the streets for trouble, Billy is often berated by the razor-tongued mother Gloria (Davis) for his exploits.

The family has been fractured by tragedy and misfortune but in their own way family members are coping as best they can.

Part coming of age, part black comedy, part drama, this is full of emotional intensity and the realism we have come to expect from Australian cinema.

Adrian Drayton