The Rage In Placid Lake

Released: August 28 2003
Cast: Ben Lee, Rose Byrne, Garry McDonald, Miranda Richardson.
Written & Directed: Tony McNamara
Genre: Comedy
Rated: M
Running Time: 90 Minutes

He's Dangerous On The Inside.

Synopsis:
Placid Lake's life has never been normal. From his early years when his mother sent him to school in a dress to challenge the other 5 year old children's 'preconceived notions of sexuality' he should have guessed that fitting in was not going to be easy.
Fortunately for Placid, Gemma, the crayon gobbling scientific genius in awe of no one but her father is also having a few 'blending in' issues. They develop a firm friendship through the years during which their own peculiar parents attempt to drag them up and hurl them into adulthood, and they both discover the binding passion between them is a desperate bid for the elusive... 'Normal life'.


My Verdict:
The Rage In Placid Lake was written and directed by Tony McNamara, with the screenplay being based on Tony's stage play The Café Latte Kid, although Tony admits that it was altered dramatically and evolved as the screenplay was being written.

It is a dark comedy about Placid Lake (Ben Lee) and his emotional journey through his late teens. He was the product of two hippie parents who are still coming to grips with who they are, Sylvia (Miranda Richardson) and Doug (Garry McDonald). Placid is to most that know him, an enigma and a weird sort of guy. He is unconventional, some of it of his own choice, some of it his parents chose for him. These choices are what haunts Placid. He cannot decide if he is truly bohemian or merely just left of centre. Whatever, it doesn't matter as it is his discovery of both sides of the coin that is the main thrust of the movie. Placid uses the trial and error approach to decide.

Placid has an ally, Gemma (Rose Byrne) who encourages Placid to be different and doesn't appreciate his attempts go straight. Gemma too, is also undergoing the dilemma of fitting into a society where she'd rather be the odd one out, just like Placid. They make a grand pair.

This is not ground breaking subject matter and at times was slow moving. Just when you think Placid has found his calling, he changes his mind again and that was annoying as it happened too frequently. There is barley enough to keep you wanting to wait to see if Placid's life was ever going to be resolved and of course, to see the rage in Placid Lake.


- Christina Bruce