Watch Erskineville Kings
- 1999
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6.3 (687)
Erskineville Kings is a 1999 Australian drama film directed by Alan White and written by Marty Denniss. The film follows two brothers, Wace and Sonny, who reside in the inner-city suburb of Erskineville in Sydney, Australia. The film stars Marty Denniss as Wace, Hugh Jackman as Wace's younger brother, Sonny, and Andrew Wholley as Jonny, Wace's friend.
The film opens with Wace being released from prison after serving a two-year sentence for robbery. He returns home to his inner-city neighborhood to find that his younger brother, Sonny, has been living on his own since their father left two years ago. Wace's homecoming is complicated by the fact that Sonny has become involved with a group of young men led by Jonny, who is a drug dealer and frequent patron of the local gay club.
As Wace tries to reconnect with his brother and rebuild his life, he encounters resistance from Sonny, who resents Wace for leaving him alone for two years. Wace also has a difficult time adjusting to life outside of prison and finding work. His attempts to reconnect with his old girlfriend, Julie, are also complicated by the fact that she has moved on with her life and is now engaged.
Through a series of flashbacks, the audience is given glimpses into Wace's past and the reasons behind his criminal behavior. The film explores themes of family, loyalty, and the struggle to break free from one's past.
The performances in Erskineville Kings are solid all around, with standout performances from both Denniss and Jackman. Denniss does an excellent job of portraying Wace as a complex and sympathetic character who is struggling to put his life back together. Jackman brings a vulnerability to his portrayal of Sonny, who is torn between his loyalty to his brother and his desire for a normal life.
The film also boasts a strong visual style, with director Alan White making good use of the gritty, urban setting of Erskineville. The film's muted color palette and use of handheld camera create a sense of intimacy and immediacy that draws the audience into the characters' lives.
Overall, Erskineville Kings is a powerful and moving drama that explores difficult themes with sensitivity and nuance. The film's strong performances and impressive visual style make it a memorable addition to the Australian film canon.
Erskineville Kings is a 1999 drama. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.