The Rage in Placid Lake

I saw this as part of the Milwaukee Film Festival, and I really enjoyed it. It was a little off-the-wall, but a nice change from the mainstream Hollywood films.... Full review

Unfairly slighted by some on release earlier this year, this is actually one of the most refreshing Aussie comedies in a while.....From its wonderfully misleading horror-style title to its slightly surreal look, the film carefully nurtures its oddball credentials..... ... Full Review

Rushmore offered a similar spin on the teen-pic dynamic and Tony McNamaras 2003 film suffers from the comparison. Okay, Miranda Richardson has fun as Lees mum, while the petty jealousies and rivalries at his ultra-conservative insurance company will undoubtedly strike a chord. ... Full Review

A feel-good movie with some enjoyably deranged turns, The Rage In Placid Lake benefits from fine performances all around, particularly Richardson in over-the-top dotty mode as the sexually adventurous Sylvia. Don't let the bastards win" is another. ... Full Review

The dialogue is clever and well-written.... ... Full Review

The characters are well devised and we can clearly see where Placid Lake is coming from. The script at times feels somewhat stilted, even though much of the films charm shines through with its wacky characters. ... Full Review

FLICKERFEST 2003 Now in its twelfth year, Flickerfest 2003, Australia's highest profile International Short Film Festival is hitting Bondi Beach again in January. FILMINK's Dov Kornits previewed the action, including the making of the trailer for the fest. ... Full Article

Film Worth: $11.00 Australia has a perilous track record when it comes to teen comedies. What we are good at is quirk with that down-home charm. ... Full Article

Not content with being a self-satisfied singer-songwriter, Ben Lee has now added largely-unconvincing leading man to his CV by playing troubled teen Placid Lake in this rather pointless Aussie flick about alienated youth. ... Full Article

A recent story in The Hollywood Reporter predicted a new wave of Oz filmmakers may soon find success in America, joining countrymen Gibson, Crowe, Jackman, Bana, Blanchett and Kidman. ... Full Article

"The Rage in Placid Lake" is not about some mysterious fury roiling the waters of upstate New York but rather about a young man whose name is actually Placid Lake -- and that fact alone brings the movie's whimsy quotient... ... Full Article

The rage is what's wrong with Placid Lake. He's a person, not a place - a curly headed, long-faced Australian schoolboy (played by musician Ben Lee) whose only defence against life's outrages is a fast mouth and a stout heart. ... Full Article