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Rabbit-Proof Fence 2002 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Phillip Noyce
PG, 94 min. (emotional thematic material) |
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Starring: Everlyn Sampi, Tianna Sansbury, Laura Monaghan, David Gulpilil, Ningali Lawford, Kenneth Branagh
Producers: Phillip Noyce, Christine Olsen, John Winter
Screenplay: Christine Olsen
Distributor: Miramax Films
Released: 11/29/02 (Limited) |
Rating:
  (out of ) |
Phillip Noyce's heartbreaking Rabbit-Proof Fence is a searing, painful reminder of the effects of government-sponsored
racism when it's allowed to permeate a society. Much as the Australian government practiced the abhorrent policy
of extracting "half-caste" Aborigines (offspring of white constructionists and the natives) from their natural homes to
"breed the native out of them," we are reminded of our own government's shameful tolerance of unchecked racism for
nearly 200 years. Noyce has fashioned one of the year's most important films, combining a biting screenplay and
natural, unforced storytelling to achieve the kind of transendence that Hollywood films only dream of making. By the time
we arrive at its gripping, emotional conclusion, Rabbit-Proof Fence has proven itself as one of the year's best films.
The plight of the Aborigines in Australia and the Native Americans in the United States share a common plight. First ripped
of their homeland and rights, they eventually settle as second-class citizens looked down upon as uncivilized nuisances.
As the white man conquered them, they tried to hold onto the traditions and dignity that they cherished for generations,
only to become unwilling participants in a stacked game of imperialism. With this simple story, Noyce has brought a
poignant face to the sins of our forefathers.
The story takes place in 1931 Australia, where the government has enforced the policy of kidnapping half-castes and
relocating them to orphanages where they can be "civilized" and bred out of their heritage. The Chief Protector of the Aborigine
Populace, Mr. Neville (Kenneth Branagh), sees the policy as compassionate because "in spite of himself, the native must
be helped." He has eyed three children - 14-year old Molly (Everlyn Sampi), 8-year old Daisy (Tianna Sansbury), and
10-year old Gracie (Laura Monaghan) - who live in the small village of Jigalong as worthy of "enlightenment." They
are forceably removed from their mother and grandmother and taken to an orphanage at Moore River, more than
1200 miles from their home. Presided over by Mr. Neville, who makes regular visits to determine each child's breeding
possibilities, the orphanage becomes a sort of concentration camp for the girls. It's not long before Molly leads her
sister Daisy and cousin Gracie on a daring escape across the brutal Australian outback back to their homes. But they
must avoid capture at the hands of the local Aboriginal tracker, Moodoo (David Gulpilil of Walkabout), and the various authorities that
are on the lookout for them. They use the "rabbit-proof fence," a continent-long fence built to curb a rabbit infestation on
farm lands, to guide them home since it also runs past Jigalong.
The film is based on Doris Pilkington's book "Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence," which tells the true story of her own mother,
Molly, and her nightmarish past. We learn at the film's end that these characters did in fact exist and learn more painful
truths about their lives, only enhancing the film's authenticity level. Noyce has done a brilliant job at coaxing the pitch-perfect
performances from his understated cast, led by the gifted Kenneth Branagh, who matches the frighteningly passive
misguidedness that he portrayed in HBO's The Conspiracy just a few years ago, where he played a ranking Nazi officer that
calmly laid out his plans for the Jewish holocaust. He plays Mr. Neville with a sincerity of belief in what his government
is doing as just and right. His laid-back approach to the proceedings is truly unsettling.
It's quite an achievement that Noyce, who is best known for direction of Patriot Games and Clear & Present Danger,
is able to keep the center of his picture on the girls' plight rather than becoming lost in the beauty of the Australian landscape.
It's rocky, dry, unforgiving, and hard to ignore, but he keeps the focus on the ever-defiant eyes of Molly, who bravely
and surely leads her family on a daring trek across the desert. Noyce keeps the tension level surprisingly high too, as
Moodoo closes in on the girls, only to be outsmarted by Molly's well-trained outback mind, covering their tracks several times
and using her cleverness and ingenuity to keep them on course. We wonder how they could possibly survive this feat, which
took over a month to travel on foot, especially since they are being hunted. The film may be beautiful to look at, but its
characters are clearly the focal point of the audience's attention.
Rabbit-Proof Fence's power comes from its lack of dialogue in a highly emotional picture. Too much conversation would
drown the film in unnecessary exposition when it should be focused on the three girls, which it wisely avoids here.
Molly, Daisy, and Gracie persevere because of their own belief not only in Molly's courageous leadership, but because of
the sympathetic assistance they receive several times from the Australian people on their journey home. This is an
important subplot for Noyce, to recognize that there have always been those in society who don't endorse their
government's ill-conceived propaganda. The compassion and willingness to help the girls is one of the more touching
aspects of the film. The girls, played by Everlyn Sampi, Tianna Sansbury, and Laura Monaghan, all Aborigines, are
fully convincing in their portrayals - especially for Sampi, who radiates a wonderful underlying rhythm of her relationship
with her heritage. They're so easy to watch, you almost wish the film was longer in order to spend more time with them.
The film is enhanced by a moody musical score, underlining the coming oppression of its characters. It's hard not to notice
its ever-present authority during the film's penultimate moments. All of this leads to Rabbit-Proof Fence's satisfying, yet
bittersweet, conclusion, which only puts an exclamation point on the thought-provoking picture. If the proceeding lump that
grows in your throat doesn't move you, nothing will. This is quality filmmaking on the highest level, buoyed by terrific
performances and diligent direction that help earn the film its well-deserved praise. This is a film that's not to be missed.
© 2002 Jonathan Cornwell
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 |
 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
| Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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