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Mushrooms is a 1995 Australian drama directed by Alan Madden. The film explores the experiences of three very different women during a weekend in the beautiful forests of Southern Australia. The three women, Alison (Julia Blake), Carol (Lynette Curran), and Nancy (Kerry Armstrong), all have different reasons for being at the forest sanctuary. Alison has been recently widowed and is seeking solace in nature, Carol is an environmental activist fighting to save the forest from loggers, and Nancy is a journalist researching a story on illegal logging.

The film begins with Alison arriving at the sanctuary, where she meets Carol who is leading a group of activists in a protest against the logging company. Alison is surprised to find herself drawn to Carol's cause, and joins the group for a short time. Meanwhile, Nancy arrives to a less-than-warm reception from the activists she is researching, but soon forms an unlikely bond with Alison.

As the women spend time in the forest, they begin to experience a sense of connectedness with nature and each other. The film's central theme is the importance of human connection and the interconnectedness of all living things. The mushrooms of the title are a metaphor for this idea, as they are a symbol of the complex and interconnected ecosystem of the forest.

The film's strength lies in its three strong female leads, all of whom give powerful and nuanced performances. Julia Blake's portrayal of Alison, in particular, is both poignant and touching. We see her slowly coming to terms with the loss of her husband and finding a new sense of purpose in her connection with nature and the other characters.

The film's setting is also a major character in its own right, with stunning cinematography capturing the beauty and majesty of the forest. The use of natural sounds, such as bird songs and rustling leaves, adds to the sense of immersion in the forest environment.

Mushrooms is not without flaws, however. The pacing can be slow at times, and the themes can feel heavy-handed. Additionally, the film's message about environmentalism may come across as preachy to some viewers. However, these minor criticisms do not detract from the film's overall impact.

In conclusion, Mushrooms is a moving and thought-provoking drama that explores the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of human connection. The strong performances of the three leads and the beautiful cinematography make it a film worth watching for anyone interested in environmentalism or the human condition.

Mushrooms is a 1995 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.