Somersault

Cate Shortland, Australia, 2004, 106 minutes

Following a misguided teenage flirtation Heidi falls out with her mum and runs away from home to a ski resort. Going along with general opinion that she looks a lot older than she is, she tries out the idea of being a young woman about town and begins to explore herself and her sexuality...

On paper the story may be no different to any other coming of age drama, but on screen Somersault is remarkably original, believable and poetic.

Much of the film is of beautifully considered and eccentrically framed details: the effect is simple and enchanting with a rare sense of contemplation. But if its visual grace and modernist soundtrack are reminiscent of The Virgin Suicides or Morvern Callar, the refreshing lack of pretension or self-conscious angst sets it leagues apart.

Abbie Cornish is incredible as Heidi, with her huge interested eyes providing the perfect compliment to the character's perpetual sense of wonder. Cornish only ever allows extremely discreet alterations in behaviour so that her character's transformation is gradual and very subtle. Sam Worthington, her co-star, rises to the challenge with an absolutely pitch perfect and enigmatic performance of his own.

Director Cate Shortland's photographic eye for unnoticed detail and her sensitive and non-judgemental treatment of her characters is unique and exceptional - particularly given the age of her lead character. Shortland also manages to make Heidi's world both magical and thoroughly real without ever threatening her film's stylish bewitching of the senses.

Somersault is simply a wonderful piece of visually breathtaking and thoughtful film making. Superb.

Review by Nicola Osborne
Written for EUFS Programme Autumn 2005