Directed by: Jennifer Ussi
Written by:Adam Couper, Jennifer Ussi
Starring: Veronica Neave, Queenie van de Zandt, Catarina Hebbard, Jamie Dunn, Mirko Grillini, Adam Couper
Released: February 25, 2010
Grade: B+

When a film like Harry Potter, Transformers or Avatar is released, my thoughts don’t count for much.  The public is inundated with a full on PR assault.  I speak of posters on bus stations, trailers before every movie and stars on talk shows.  We’re going to be “pressured” into seeing it, regardless of whether it’s any good.  It is how the Hollywood marketing machine works.

This review is different however.  Its purpose is to open your eyes to a good film which will receive zero publicity.  Girl Clock was made in Brisbane and is as low budget as it gets.  The cast and crew have come together with a simple desire to tell a story and to make a movie.  They’re not in it for the money.  In fact, most of the cast and crew didn’t get paid a cent.

Girl Clock centres on Christine (Neave), a middle aged woman who has reached a crossroads in her life.  Up until this point, her job has always been the focus.  She’s a photographer and has had great fun travelling around the world in the process.  With Christine’s biological clock ticking stronger than ever, her priorities have now changed.  She wants a child before it’s too late.

How’s she going to do this?  She’s not married and doesn’t even have a boyfriend.  Offering advice are her two best friends, Margo (Zandt) and Mikki (Hebbard).  They come up with a variety of “solutions” which provide plenty of laughs.  Mixed with the film’s more serious undertones, you’re left with a decent black comedy that’s not afraid to take a few chances.  Seeing the bare backside of radio announcer Jamie Dunn is proof of that!

The film isn’t without its weaknesses and some of the jokes miss the mark.  There’s a part late in the film (which I won’t reveal too much about) involving these three women and a male corpse.  I think it’s a silly moment but it will certainly provide post-film conversation.  I’d love to know what audiences would make of this scene if the genders were reversed.  Would it be as funny?  Or more controversial?

There’s definitely an audience for Girl Clock here in Brisbane and I hope it makes a few dollars.  The film is showing at the Blue Room, Victoria Point and Balmoral cinemas.  It’s better than a lot of other movies currently in release and I hope my positivity coupled with good word of mouth will give it a strong push.  Check it out!