Watch Beautiful Kate

Beautiful Kate is a 2009 Australian drama film directed by Rachel Ward. It stars Ben Mendelsohn as Ned, an estranged middle-aged writer who returns to his childhood home to reunite with his dying father, Bruce (Bryan Brown), and sister, Sally (Rachel Griffiths), whom he hasn't seen in a long time. The story is narrated by Ned and Sally's younger selves, played by Sophie Lowe and Maeve Dermody, respectively, in flashbacks that shed light on the dark family secrets that have haunted them for years.

The film takes place mostly on a remote sheep farm in South Australia, where Ned and Sally grew up under the shadow of their overbearing father and their beautiful but mysterious sister, Kate (Sophie Lowe). Kate was only 16 when she died in a car accident, and her memory still haunts the family, especially Ned, who blames himself for her death. As Ned tries to reconnect with Bruce and Sally, he begins to confront his past and the reasons why he left home so many years ago.

The film is a slow-burning character study that delves into the complex psychology of a dysfunctional family. It explores the themes of guilt, grief, sexuality, and the uneasy bond between siblings who share a traumatic past. The flashbacks are skillfully interwoven with the present-day narrative, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that blurs the line between memory and reality. The cinematography by Andrew Commis is stunning, capturing the rugged beauty of the Australian landscape and the isolation of the characters.

The performances are all excellent, but Mendelsohn is the standout as Ned, a man who is haunted by his past and struggling to come to terms with his own failures. He has a complicated relationship with Sally, who resents him for leaving home and abandoning her to deal with their father's abuse. Griffiths is also great as Sally, conveying her vulnerability and strength with subtlety and nuance. Lowe and Dermody are both impressive as the younger versions of Kate and Sally, respectively, bringing an aura of innocence and vulnerability to their roles.

The film is not without flaws, however. The pacing can be slow at times, and some of the dialogue feels contrived or heavy-handed. The ending is also somewhat ambiguous, leaving the viewer to interpret the characters' fates for themselves. But overall, Beautiful Kate is a powerful and haunting film that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. It is a testament to the talent of Ward and her cast, who have created a complex and moving portrait of a fractured family struggling to come to terms with their past and find redemption in the present.

Beautiful Kate is a 2009 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.