Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie's Dead Aunt) (2020) User Reviews

A rather good romantic comedy...

[paul_haakonsen · 6/10 · 3 December 2020]

Alright, well I hadn't even heard about this 2020 movie prior to getting the opportunity to sit down and watch it. So I didn't really know what to expect from it, aside from it being a romantic comedy. That is usually not the genre of movie that I am in a particular rush to get to watch, but I had the opportunity to watch "Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie's Dead Aunt) from writer and director Monica Zanetti here late in 2020, so I did.

I must admit that it was the movie's title that lured me in, especially the "(& Ellie's Dead Aunt)" part, because it just added a whole different layer to what the movie potentially had to offer.

"Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie's Dead Aunt)" was a movie that actually turned out to be an entertaining and enjoyable movie, and it actually had a good story to tell and something of a heart to share. This is definitely a movie that surprised me. The storyline was interesting and appealing, just as it was entertaining and enjoyable.

The cast in the movie were people that I was not already familiar with, and that is definitely something that I enjoy when watching movies; seeing new faces and talents on the screen, and not associating them with previously portrayed characters and roles in other movies. The two lead actresses Sophie Hawkshaw (playing Ellie) and Zoe Terakes (playing Abbie) definitely carried the movie quite well, and they had good on-screen chemistry together, but alone they were also quite good. Rachel House (playing Patty) was a nice addition to the movie's cast, and her face was oddly recognizable, I just can't put my finger on where it is I have seen her before. And Marta Dusseldorp (playing Erica) really delivered a very memorable performance.

The dialogue in the movie was good, and there definitely was a lot of one-liners that could easily jump from the screen and out into real-life.

One thing that the movie suffered from was its very linear storyline. There were no surprises along the way, and that made for a very predictable story and movie, sadly so.

My rating of "Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie's Dead Aunt)" lands on a six out of ten stars. I can warmly recommend that you take the time to sit down and watch this 2020 movie, if you have the chance to do so.

cute

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 26 September 2021]

Australian teen Ellie is struggling to ask her classmate Abbie to the formal. That's when her Fairy Godmother shows up. She's her gay aunt Tara who died before they ever met. Tara has all kinds of advice whether Ellie wants it or not.

This is cute with a moment of emotional reveal. Ellie is a bit amateurish but there is a sweetness in that. It's the awkwardness of puppy love, no matter the sexual orientation. Dead Aunt Tara tries her best to inject irreverence into this movie. Again, it's cute. In a Hollywood production, the lead would be more experienced and prettier. This feels more awkward and that's perfectly fine.

Just okay....

[pub-21 · 5/10 · 9 March 2022]

This movie tugs on the heart strings of the Gay community. It's just a very mediocre film, with a mixture of okay to average acting by mostly unknown actors. Plot and story line are very unimaginative, almost as if it was written by teenagers. Cinematography is plain along with directorship.

Would not recommend and wouldn't dream of re-watching, only watch if you must.

Perfect film for pride, Don't let the low score fool you

[Esme-67004 · 10/10 · 10 June 2022]

I'd look at Rotten Tomatoes and Amazon reviews for a more accurate representation of this film. So charming, so funny - clearly a low budget but it still won the AACTA award for best Indie film in Australia. I'm a good repressed queer so naturally obsessed with the English teacher.

An excellent job with a clearly small budget.

[jackyFell-18289 · 10/10 · 26 May 2022]

I've been looking for positive queer stories since watching heartstopper and this one is really lovely. It doesn't have the budget of some of the others - but hopefully people will now start to see that LGBT content can be profitable and invest more in it. Apparently they shot this film in 10 days. So for that alone it's pretty much a triumph. The soundtrack and the script were also excellent. Would definitely recommend to queer teens!

Charming as hell

[Jamesfelix-24834 · 10/10 · 26 June 2022]

With so much darkness hanging over the LGBTQIA community right now, finding something like this to watch was so wonderfully refreshing. The story is simple but the humor is whip fast! I also really dug the chemistry between the two leads and was so happy they got their happy ending (which I just desperately needed to see right now) the reveal of the Aunt's secret wasn't totally surprising, it's not unknown that a members of the queer community died in terrible ways in the 80s and it was very much covered up by aus police. But it still got me in the gut. Overall this was a wonderful viewing experience and I very much recommend to anyone who is looking for a bit of joy right now!

Its optimistic but also still based in our roots and that's cool

[henri-26842 · 9/10 · 16 July 2022]

We see queer youths act like queer youths and we see the traumas without there being any fetishization. It is a funny, sweet and strange film in keeping with the high quality content that comes out of screen Australia. There is no hiding from the fear and pain that affects queer kids and also the past our community holds but it looks forward. The girls are quirky and unique and their realtionship is asperational without being unrealistic. It could have been longer and more elaborated but it was very fun to watch and one of the best ones, romantic comedies with drama, i have seen for a while.

A rom com, coming of age, drama that doesn't overdo it on the fluff

[caitlinsly · 8/10 · 19 August 2020]

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It made me laugh out loud and tear up. All the characters are entertaining and well acted. It was refreshing to watch a film with such a great diversity of female characters. Most of all I really enjoyed watching such positive and healthy interactions between characters. Ellie in particular is so likable as a character (and portrayed beautifully by the actor). She communicates her feelings openly and honestly and while Abbie is more 'flawed' and uncertain they navigate their relationship in a healthy way that I think provides a good road map for teens on how to have healthy, productive relationships. I find it very heartening to see some films offering a more balanced, rational portrayal of the teenage years, something I wish had been more prevalent in my formative years.

What the world needs

[geraldine-hakewill · 10/10 · 8 December 2020]

Funny, heartfelt, beautifully acted and very well directed. This is the queer teen rom com that the world needs. As good as 'Boy'. Zanetti is the next big thing.

Amazing

[rachel_beaney · 9/10 · 18 November 2020]

This film was brilliant. So many one-liners and funny moments, mixed in some really emotional scenes. The edge of your seat "will they?" of classic romcoms and awkwardly relatable conversations. A really fun film, whether you like AFL or not. See it!

Loved It!!!

[kateachachlouei · 10/10 · 8 December 2020]

I love a good rom com and I adored this film. I laughed, I cried, and I left the cinema having learnt something, so much history I was totally unaware of. There should be more films out there like this! The writing is exceptional, and the cast is brilliant.

You'll laugh, you'll cry

[amandagallagher-06784 · 10/10 · 9 December 2020]

The coming of age lesbian movie we all needed growing up. Monica Zanetti is brilliant.

Having a dead aunt return can be a good or a bad thing

[Red-125 · 8/10 · 19 October 2020]

Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie's Dead Aunt) (2020) is an Australian film written and directed by Monica Zanetti.

This is a teen coming-out story, with a twist. Ellie (Sophie Hawkshaw) would like to ask Abbie (Zoe Terakes) to the formal dance. However, she can't quite work up the nerve to do it.

That's where Ellie's dead Aunt Tara (Julia Billington) enters the picture (literally). Ellie can see and hear Tara, and so can we, but no one else can. Tara not only wants to help--she insists on helping. It turns out that if you tell anyone you're lesbian--which Ellie does--and if you have a dead aunt who was lesbian--as Tara was--your dead aunt can return and help you.(Whimsical, but it works in this movie.)

This twist makes the film better than other movies of its type. What makes the movie great is the incredible work done by Julia Billington as Tara. She's a young actor who lights up the screen. It's worth seeing the movie just to watch her at work.

We saw this movie as part of the great ImageOut Rochester LGBTQ Film Festival. (Virtual this year.) The movie has a strong IMDb rating of 7.4. I rated it 8.

Genuine, heartwarming - a must for teens.

[melaniecrossley-24543 · 9/10 · 19 November 2020]

Definitely one for your teens to see. A genuine story, told with warmth, heart and some laughs. The characters truly express teen behaviour, eye rolls, stomping and all. Laughter and tears - one to watch for sure!

LOVED THIS

[CleaGall · 10/10 · 10 January 2021]

Zoe Terakes and Sophie Hawkshaw are wonderful in this film. Their happy ending was everything I wanted it to be.

MY HEART!!!!!!

[felixj-48349 · 10/10 · 12 March 2021]

This film is so wonderful and joyful and heartbreaking all at once!!

I have never seen a queer film that centers around anything but an (Often doomed) relationship so how refreshing to see a story about a young girl and her relationship with her aunt. This felt really personal to me as someone who was raised by her two uncles. I felt very seen!

There is however an incredible love story, and the banter between the two leads is just so awkwardly exquisite. Zoe Terakes is popping up in a few things I've seen lately and they are sure to be a star! I found myself falling in love with Abbie just as Ellie was.

Yes there is some sad moment, I read an interview with the director where she said she felt she couldn't write about a happy love story without acknowledging those who came before her. And the reveal of Tara's death is Truly devastating, especially when combined with the real footage taken from OXford st protests (I was bawling) I know in the queer community we don't always speak the same language as our peers from previous generations, however this was a lovely reminder of the work they have done for us. We wouldn't be here without them.

The happy ending for Ellie was much needed and wonderful. MY heart sang when they kissed at the end.

I just LOVED this film. I've even pre-ordered the DVD.

LGBTQ Rom-Coms to the front

[leahh-80889 · 10/10 · 11 December 2020]

A hilarious, warm and beautifully written script. Some wonderful Australian and NZ house hold names, with brilliantly cast fresh faces. I wish this story was around for us and so many others during our teen age years - Still thoroughly enjoyable and heartfelt many years later.

Feel good classic.

[kristyewilson-26015 · 10/10 · 12 September 2021]

Unique Aussie humour, heartfelt, real, coming of age story about being loved abs accented to be your true self even if it's a bumpy road.

Brilliant, funny and beautifully queer

[candicegallimore · 10/10 · 11 March 2021]

Ellie & Abbie is exactly the type of movie that I would have loved to have had as a teen but that I still got so much out of in my 30's.

Full of laughs with a few tear jerking scenes that sneak up on you, this is the perfect queer story to watch with your mum!

Awesome

[davidjkelly-48345 · 9/10 · 8 December 2020]

Awesome film, with a great ensemble cast. We really enjoyed watching it as a family and hope there will be a follow up.

So Cute!

[jojules · 10/10 · 27 January 2023]

10/10. I'm so glad I read up on this one and gave it a shot cos omg - it was soo cute!! Ok so it was over a little too quickly for me but I really dug it. I very much loved that Ellie's gay panic is so intense that her aunt literally comes back from the dead and I loved her chemistry with Abbie! Stories about gay teens with happy endings are hard to come by and even though it's a semi spoiler I feel it's important to let people know that this film has one - because young ppl need those. Also Rachel house is in this film - and Rachel House should be in every film ever. I'm off to watch this again and cry (Oh yeah, you'll also cry, sorry).