Watch Galore
- PG
- 2016
- 1 hr 43 min
-
6.0 (253)
Galore is a powerful Australian coming-of-age film that explores the lives of three teenage girls, Billie (Ashleigh Cummings), Whitey (Aliki Matangi), and Laura (Lily Sullivan), growing up in a regional community in northern Australia. The film is set during the summer of 2002, and it captures the essence of the distinctly Australian and remote town through its cinematography, music, and characterizations.
Billie is the protagonist of the film, and she's a free-spirited and adventurous girl who is struggling to come to terms with her father's sudden death. She's constantly confronting life head-on, trying to find meaning in her grief, while developing romantic feelings for her best friend Laura. Billie is determined to create a life that is different from her mother's, who's an alcoholic and continually gets involved with abusive men.
Whitey is Billie's neighbor and friend, and she's a quiet and reserved young girl who's often teased for her Afghani heritage. Her family runs a takeaway food shop, and she's been raised in a traditional Muslim family that expects her to behave according to their customs. However, Whitey's growing independence is reflected through her desire to start her own business designing clothes.
Laura is the daughter of a wealthy cattle rancher, who has just turned sixteen and is trying to find her place in the world. She's passionate about environmental activism and social justice, which puts her in direct conflict with her father's business interests.
As the film progresses, we watch as the town endures a cyclone that devastates the surrounding area. The cyclone brings the community closer together, and its aftermath forces the three girls to confront the realities of growing up in their own way.
The film is filled with striking and vivid scenes: white horses thundering through the streets, fireworks erupting over a sunset, and the girls taking a dip in a pristine body of water. The cinematography creates a palpable atmosphere of heat, dust, and passion that captures the unique beauty and drama of the Australian landscape.
Galore is also a film that doesn't shy away from difficult topics like racism, abuse, and trauma. However, it never feels exploitative or sensationalistic, instead presenting the characters' struggles with empathy and nuance. The film is ultimately about the bond between young women, and how they find solace and strength in each other's company.
The performances of the three lead actresses are fantastic, and they manage to convey the complexities and contradictions of their characters with sensitivity and authenticity. Ashleigh Cummings, in particular, delivers a tour-de-force performance as Billie, imbuing her with a fierce vulnerability that is both captivating and heartbreaking.
Galore is a stunning and deeply affecting film that will linger with you long after the credits roll. It's a coming-of-age story that defies clichés and expectations, and provides a powerful and moving meditation on the resilience of the human spirit.
Galore is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.