HEAD ON 1998
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1998 Timothy Voon
1 :-( for a world of oral sex
Directed by Ana Kokkinos, Cast :Alex Dimitriades, Paul Capsis, Julian Garner, Tony Nikolakopoulos, Elena Mandalis, María Mercedes, Alex Papps, Vassili Zappa, Damien Fotiou, Eugenia Fragos. Written by Andrew Bovell, Ana Kokkinos, Mira Robertson, Christos Tsiolkas (novel).
HEAD ON is angry, noisy and confused like the highs and lows of a heroin addict. This certainly isn't a heart warming, thoughtful movie and the R in restricted, could easily be re-labelled Risqué. If anyone is expecting this to be another episode of HEARTBREAK HIGH, think again, don't be fooled by the ads – this is a kid on the fast lane to self-destruction. Most people are probably not prepared for the shock that comes with Alex Dimitriades' overnight change from straight, high school heart throb, to blatant, sex obsessed homosexual.
There is a recurrent theme throughout this movie. The title of the movie is aptly named HEAD ON. If you're wondering what it means, it isn't about a simple head on concussion post fall, but full on oral sex. Oral sex with an obese, Chinese grocery store man, oral sex with a dirty old, Greek man, oral sex with a lesbian, and oral sex with a Caucasian hunk. In fact there was so much oral sex one wonders whether this is something more to sex, than just being oral?
The acting is mostly angry, and some of the sex scenes looked contrived. I don't speak from first hand experience on either subject, but there must be more to this movie than moans, groans and jerky movements, identity crises, Greek self hatred, racism and addiction. Unfortunately, this movie filled with St Kildaderish nightlife, may have too much to say (or should I say show), for the sleepy residents of unglamorous Melbourne. Perhaps a better choice of movies next time Alex Dimitriades - the profile of angry, rebel, homosexual, drug addict will not necessary boost your career, even if you did show your dick for the world to see (a trick used too often nowadays by wannabe movie stars).
Timothy Voon
e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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