The first time I watched Erskinville Kings was due to the fact that I am a Hugh Jackman fan, and I was aware that this was his first film. I have to tell you that as soon as it finished I started watching it again, and sat through it mesmerised.
All the actors in this strong emotional drama give amazing performances, especially Hugh Jackman and Marty Denniss,(who also wrote the screenplay under a pseudonym).
Each character seems so real, the setting gritty and realistic, the photography superb and the direction excellent. The scenes in the pub seem to get more and more claustrophobic as the film progresses, matching the interplay between the two main actors as their defences come down and hard truths come out.
The story builds to an emotional and gut-wrenching climax between the two brothers played by Jackman and Denniss, where we find that the younger brother is not the only one damaged by their dysfunctional childhood.
If you get your hands on the DVD watch the audition tapes of all the actors in special features. The two audition scenes that Jackman plays are stunning and different to how he played the same scenes in the finished film.
I personally rate this, along side 'The Fountain', as Hugh Jackmans best acting on screen.
All the actors in this strong emotional drama give amazing performances, especially Hugh Jackman and Marty Denniss,(who also wrote the screenplay under a pseudonym).
Each character seems so real, the setting gritty and realistic, the photography superb and the direction excellent. The scenes in the pub seem to get more and more claustrophobic as the film progresses, matching the interplay between the two main actors as their defences come down and hard truths come out.
The story builds to an emotional and gut-wrenching climax between the two brothers played by Jackman and Denniss, where we find that the younger brother is not the only one damaged by their dysfunctional childhood.
If you get your hands on the DVD watch the audition tapes of all the actors in special features. The two audition scenes that Jackman plays are stunning and different to how he played the same scenes in the finished film.
I personally rate this, along side 'The Fountain', as Hugh Jackmans best acting on screen.