[FILM REVIEW] EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN Review (2022)

October 22, 2022 Dave .Grant Osborn, Adam Dear, Amy Kersey, Australia, Aveshah Rose, Benjamin Mathews, Benjamin Wang, Cameron Armstrong, Carolyn Mullen, Damien Sanchez, Darko Kobatka, David Griffiths, Esther Anderson, Everything In Between, Fen Leon, Freyja Benjamin, Genieve Craig, Gigi Edgley, Indiana Linzbichler, Isabella Bucceri, Jordan Dulieu, Julian Garner, Kelly McDonnell, Kyle McGrath, Lucas Hayes, Madeleine Jane Stanford, Martin Crewes, Matias Klaver, Matthew Gibbs, Michael Flanagan, Nadi Shah, Shakira Clanton, Siham Yahya, Therese Clifford, Tom Harwood, Yanne Camprasse

Summary: An alienated teenager learns to find meaning and purpose through the pain of love and loss.

Year: 2022

Cinema Release Dates: 20th October 2022 (Australia)

VOD Release Dates: TBA

Country: Australia

Director: Nadi Sha

Screenwriter: Nadi Sha, Grant Osborn

Cast: Esther Anderson (Linda), Cameron Armstrong (James), Freyja Benjamin (Elizabeth Myers), Isabella Bucceri (Myrna), Yanne Camprasse (Etienne), Shakira Clanton (Nurse Annie), Therese Clifford (Nurse Lorraine), Genieve Craig (Jenny), Martin Crewes (David Knight), Adam Dear (Orderly Derek), Jordan Dulieu (Jason Knight), Gigi Edgley (Meredith Knight), Michael Flanagan (Sergeant Steven Murray), Julian Garner (Dr Miles Martyn), Matthew Gibbs (Nurse Fred), Tom Harwood (Security Guard Rabs), Lucas Hayes (Bill), Amy Kersey (Nurse Helen), Matias Klaver (Frank), Darko Kubatka (Paul), Fen Leon (Jeff), Indiana Linzbichler (Hans), Benjamin Mathews (Dr Lucas Armstrong), Kelly McDonnell (Nurse Vanessa), Carolyn Mullen (Nurse Aisling), Aveshah Rose (Samantha), Damien Sanchez (Chris), Madeleine Jane Stanford (Nurse Claire), Benjamin Wang (Ted), Siham Yahya (Dr Freeda Yussuf)

Running Time: 90 mins

Classification: M (Australia)

OUR EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ Everything In Between Review:

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

Kyle McGrath’s Everything In Between Review:

Everything in Between is a romantic drama based around two lost souls. Set in Sydney Australia it follows depressed 18 year old Jay (Jordan Dulieu) after a foiled attempt at committing suicide. While at a brief counselling session in hospital he is approached by 28 year old free spirit Liz (Freyja Benjamin). Liz’s globetrotting backpacking adventure has been put on hold by a mysterious possibly deadly illness she has contracted. Immediately sensing a bond Liz pushes against the walls Jay puts up to initiate a conversation.

The two begin down a road of friendship and eventually love entwined by their respective troubles and world views. Beyond this Jay’s jaded socialite parents David & Meredith (Martin Crewes & Gigi Edgley) are going through their own issues. These 4 lives clash together in a story of love, sadness and acceptance.

Everything in Between may be a familiar tale of love and loss although it is not without its charm. It tackles serious issues such as completely dysfunctional family units leading to suicidal depression in teens. These are ballsy issues to take on and with the film’s at times amateurish production gives it a real independent film feel I actually love.

Filmmaker Nadi Sha may still be new to the game but I can appreciate their tenacity and spirit. I became interested in this film immediately upon hearing they were self-distrbuting a cinematic release. In such a turbulent time and with such stiff competition in theatres I applaud Aussie filmmakers taking risks such as these.

They have brought together an impressive cast with Aussie stars like Edgley and Crewes but also newcomers Dulieu and Benjamin. Benjamin in particular blows away in her feature film debut as Elizabeth Myers. It is from her that the vast majority of the film’s heart and emotion radiates.

Dulieu turns in an authentic performance as a depressed youth. Much of his initial communications are little more than a series of disinterested mumbles. As someone who was told to “speak up” in my darker teen years I can attest this is a faithful recreation of depression.

At first I felt he was too attractive for this particular role of a complete social outcast. Although I came to my senses as it fits perfectly within the film. This is a smart, handsome & privileged youth everything a teenage boy would want but it means nothing without a lust for life. Not to mention he is the spawn of too beautiful and totally superficial parents. While they love Jay, Meredith is more interested in drinking and David in cheating than listening to their son.

As a fan of her work in Farscape and Blackjack I was surprised to see Gigi Edgley here. She was all but unrecognisable as this privileged upper class drunken mother figure.

Martin Crewes delivers a both likeable yet despicable performance as Jay’s encouraging but oblivious father. Unfortunately some of his scenes come off as more comedic than I think was intended. Particularly one as he is ‘helping’ Jay fill out a post-suicide attempt leaflet.

While Everything in Between’s story is somewhat threadbare that’s all it needs to be. I adore how the relationship between Jay and Liz develops. With both characters lacking something vital that the other can give. Although it feels that Liz does basically throw herself at Jay it is important to take notice of the film’s opening. We see Liz on a drug enduced spirit journey which drives her from that point forward. These at first inexplicable visions and CGI hallucinations make me want to rewatch the film to fully appreciate how prophetic they were.

Everything in Between is a movie rough around the edges for sure. However it features some amazing performances and a hard hitting story to make up for it. Definitely recommended to audiences looking for sad romantic dramas. But also to those who wish to support the Aussie film industry and up and coming filmmakers.

Average Subculture rating Out Of 5

Other Subculture Everything In Between Reviews:

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