Watch Nineteen

Nineteen is a coming-of-age film that follows the lives of four friends - Jack (James Fraser), Zac (Benjamin Mathews), Lizzy (Shannon Ashlyn), and Fiona (Rachael Lee) - in the last few weeks before they all turn nineteen years old. Set in a small coastal town in Australia, the movie explores the themes of youth, friendship, betrayal, and the fear of the unknown.

The movie starts by introducing the four friends who have known each other since they were young. Jack is the protagonist and the narrator, who is struggling with his own identity and the future. He is intelligent, introspective and has a passion for art. Zac is his best friend who is wild, impulsive and in love with the idea of freedom. Lizzy is Jack's love interest, a kind and compassionate girl who is conflicted about her own desires and independence. Fiona is the wild card of the group, who is sexually curious and reckless, but also deeply vulnerable.

As the four friends approach their nineteenth birthdays, they all face different challenges. Jack is preoccupied with his fear of losing himself to adulthood and becoming someone he doesn't want to be. Zac feels constrained by his small town life and rebels against his family and friends. Lizzy is struggling to balance her own desires with the expectations of her conservative family, and Fiona is dealing with the consequences of her own explorations into her sexuality.

Throughout the movie, the four friends go on a journey of self-discovery, exploring their own fears, desires and aspirations. They party, experiment with drugs and sex, and confront their own inner demons. They also confront each other, as their different perspectives and desires clash, leading to moments of tension and betrayal.

Despite the conflicts between them, their friendship remains the heart of the movie. The genuine bond between the four friends is palpable, and their conversations, jokes, and adventures are all infused with a sense of shared history and loyalty. The scenes of the four of them hanging out together, drinking, smoking and talking, are some of the best in the movie.

Nineteen is also visually stunning, with beautifully shot scenes of the coastal landscape, the sun-soaked beaches, and the nightclubs. The movie also features a terrific soundtrack of indie and electronic music, perfectly capturing the mood of the characters and the setting.

The movie builds up to a climax that is both poignant and cathartic. As the four friends celebrate their nineteenth birthdays together, they all come to important realizations about themselves and each other. The ending of the movie is both hopeful and bittersweet, capturing the contradictory feelings of excitement and sadness that come with the end of youth.

Overall, Nineteen is a touching and honest reflection on the complexities of growing up. The movie is not afraid to tackle difficult themes such as mental health, sexuality, and identity, with authenticity and sensitivity. The performances of the four leads are all excellent, with James Fraser and Shannon Ashlyn standing out in particular. The direction by Madeline Kelly is confident and assured, making Nineteen an impressive debut feature.

Nineteen is a 2015 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 7 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.