Hedvig Finch (Odessa Young) is the daughter of Charlotte (Miranda Otto) and Oliver (Ewen Leslie). They run into his old friend Christian (Paul Schneider) and reconnects with him. Christian has returned to town for his wealthy father Henry (Geoffrey Rush) who is marrying a much younger woman. Hedvig has boyfriend Adam (Wilson Moore). Walter (Sam Neill) is Oliver's father. A secret is revealed and Hedvig's world falls apart.
This is an adaptation of the 19th century play The Wild Duck. The storytelling is bit muddled at first. I don't know much about filmmaker Simon Stone but he seems to be a newcomer to directing cinema. It shows in the scattered nature of the plot flow. What he seems well adapted to is drawing out good performances from his actors. There is the big climatic scene with Hedvig and Oliver. Throughout, the acting is top shelf. I would reorganize the sequencing of events by doing the reveal earlier and Adam's departure later. It's all about Hedvig and how her life falls apart. Adam leaving should be the last straw. There are powerful moments in this movie. A more experienced filmmaker would be able to construct a more compelling flow of events.
This is an adaptation of the 19th century play The Wild Duck. The storytelling is bit muddled at first. I don't know much about filmmaker Simon Stone but he seems to be a newcomer to directing cinema. It shows in the scattered nature of the plot flow. What he seems well adapted to is drawing out good performances from his actors. There is the big climatic scene with Hedvig and Oliver. Throughout, the acting is top shelf. I would reorganize the sequencing of events by doing the reveal earlier and Adam's departure later. It's all about Hedvig and how her life falls apart. Adam leaving should be the last straw. There are powerful moments in this movie. A more experienced filmmaker would be able to construct a more compelling flow of events.