I read this book after seeing Belvoir's mesmeric stage production, which so perfectly captured the claustrophobia of a small town in Western Australia in the 1960s. No movie was ever going to manage that and, as much as I love Toni Collette and Hugo Weaving I would have loved to see the same cast in the movie as I saw onstage. That said I couldn't help but become entwined in the lives of these young people and their community. Themes of racism, domestic violence and marriage breakdown are handled openly but sensitively. This story reminds of another favourite, 'The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night Time'. If you like this book then I recommend 'Jasper Jones'.
35 Reviews
Moving and relevant
Screenwriter1098765432117 March 2017
When a bookish teenager helps solve a mystery death to avoid his aboriginal friend being blamed, he digs deep to find the courage to sort out the mess of his family and friends' lives.
Set in a rural 1960s town, a young Levi Miller takes a worthy turn at a Mark Twain style hero who, sustained by a childhood wonder about important things like Batman's superpowers, is caught up in a tragedy which uncovers far more about the dark nature of people than any child should know. Toni Collete as a depressed mother and Hugo Weaving as a the town's recluse give the story emotional depth, and director Rachel Perkin brings out the simmering malevolence in an everyday setting.
Based on a contemporary novel, the casual racism and intolerance is particularly relevant to our times. Worth seeing for- Levi Miller & Hugo Weaving. 8/10
Set in a rural 1960s town, a young Levi Miller takes a worthy turn at a Mark Twain style hero who, sustained by a childhood wonder about important things like Batman's superpowers, is caught up in a tragedy which uncovers far more about the dark nature of people than any child should know. Toni Collete as a depressed mother and Hugo Weaving as a the town's recluse give the story emotional depth, and director Rachel Perkin brings out the simmering malevolence in an everyday setting.
Based on a contemporary novel, the casual racism and intolerance is particularly relevant to our times. Worth seeing for- Levi Miller & Hugo Weaving. 8/10
Better Than I Expected But Too Many Loose Ends
saysjenn29 September 2018
This is a good drama. There are some mysteries that keep it interesting, however I wish it tied things up a little more with the subplots. It left too many things unanswered. I guess for us to make our own assumptions, but I like things more buttoned up.
Great acting from Toni Collette!
Great acting from Toni Collette!
Uneven storytelling makes the whole feel less than the sum of its parts
DJKwa12 June 2017
Craig Silvey's bestselling novel Jasper Jones has been lauded for its deft exploration of racial tensions and small town prejudices through the lens of a coming of age tale and a who-dun-it mystery. While the big screen adaptation, which Silvey co-scripted, retains much of what made the novel a hit, its loosely structured narrative doesn't translate quite as effectively on the silver screen.
Set in the small mining town of Corrigan, Western Australia in 1969, Jasper Jones tells the story of bookish 13 year old, Charlie Bucktin (Levi Miller). One night an Aboriginal boy by the name of Jasper Jones taps on his bedroom window asking for help. Startled by his sudden appearance but persuaded by his desperate pleading, Charlie agrees to follow Jasper into the woods to the gruesome sight of a dead young girl hanging on a tree branch. Jasper makes it clear to Charlie that he didn't kill the girl and reveals that he was in a relationship with her. The only problem is that he doesn't want to go to the police for fear that their racist attitude will see him unjustly blamed for her death. Charlie, who believes Jasper and is eager to help him, agrees to hide the body in a pond nearby and to keep their discovery a secret.
Unfortunately what should have been a good set-up for a mystery film lacks one crucial element: there's no reason to suspect foul play in regards to the girl's death. When we first see Laura's body hanging from the tree, there's a more obvious conclusion to be made. Jasper instead begins to make up stories surrounding her death and centers on the idea that an old recluse, Mad Jack Lionel (played by the excellent but criminally underused Hugo Weaving), must have murdered her. Charlie believes Jasper, as there have been rumours that the old man has done bad things in the past, but there's not enough reason for the audience to suspect the old man's involvement in matters. The suspicion surrounding her death seems only to exist only in the eyes of the children and this robs the film of much of its tension, particularly towards the end of the film when the kids finally decide to confront Mad Jack.
However, the confrontation still ends up being the stand out moment in the film as it results in some startling revelations about Jasper Jones as a character. It's a well-crafted dramatic scene that is only undermined by its lack of cohesion with the rest of the film. For most of its running time, the film weaves together a collection of different subplots and side stories revolving around Charlie's life, including his parent's rocky marriage and his growing feelings towards local girl Eliza (Angourie Rice). Jasper only periodically intersects with the narrative and he remains a largely passive character, disappearing for large swathes of the film at a time. When the ending sharply puts the focus back on him, it feels forced and disjointed; not allowing the revelation to hit with the devastating impact the film is clearly striving for.
That's not to say that the film doesn't have its moments but overall Jasper Jones feels like an amalgamation of disparate parts that only come together under the broad hat of a coming of age story. There's a bit of everything: a touch of mystery, a pinch of comedy mixed in with a bit of family drama and racial tension. While parts of it work well, they never really come together cohesively, making the whole feel less than the sum of its parts.
Set in the small mining town of Corrigan, Western Australia in 1969, Jasper Jones tells the story of bookish 13 year old, Charlie Bucktin (Levi Miller). One night an Aboriginal boy by the name of Jasper Jones taps on his bedroom window asking for help. Startled by his sudden appearance but persuaded by his desperate pleading, Charlie agrees to follow Jasper into the woods to the gruesome sight of a dead young girl hanging on a tree branch. Jasper makes it clear to Charlie that he didn't kill the girl and reveals that he was in a relationship with her. The only problem is that he doesn't want to go to the police for fear that their racist attitude will see him unjustly blamed for her death. Charlie, who believes Jasper and is eager to help him, agrees to hide the body in a pond nearby and to keep their discovery a secret.
Unfortunately what should have been a good set-up for a mystery film lacks one crucial element: there's no reason to suspect foul play in regards to the girl's death. When we first see Laura's body hanging from the tree, there's a more obvious conclusion to be made. Jasper instead begins to make up stories surrounding her death and centers on the idea that an old recluse, Mad Jack Lionel (played by the excellent but criminally underused Hugo Weaving), must have murdered her. Charlie believes Jasper, as there have been rumours that the old man has done bad things in the past, but there's not enough reason for the audience to suspect the old man's involvement in matters. The suspicion surrounding her death seems only to exist only in the eyes of the children and this robs the film of much of its tension, particularly towards the end of the film when the kids finally decide to confront Mad Jack.
However, the confrontation still ends up being the stand out moment in the film as it results in some startling revelations about Jasper Jones as a character. It's a well-crafted dramatic scene that is only undermined by its lack of cohesion with the rest of the film. For most of its running time, the film weaves together a collection of different subplots and side stories revolving around Charlie's life, including his parent's rocky marriage and his growing feelings towards local girl Eliza (Angourie Rice). Jasper only periodically intersects with the narrative and he remains a largely passive character, disappearing for large swathes of the film at a time. When the ending sharply puts the focus back on him, it feels forced and disjointed; not allowing the revelation to hit with the devastating impact the film is clearly striving for.
That's not to say that the film doesn't have its moments but overall Jasper Jones feels like an amalgamation of disparate parts that only come together under the broad hat of a coming of age story. There's a bit of everything: a touch of mystery, a pinch of comedy mixed in with a bit of family drama and racial tension. While parts of it work well, they never really come together cohesively, making the whole feel less than the sum of its parts.
A flawed diamond of a movie should have been better:
tm-sheehan18 April 2017
I enjoyed Jasper Jones especially the lead performances by Levi Miller as Charlie Bucktin , Aaron L McGrath as Jasper Jones ,Jeffrey Lu as Charlie's best mate and Toni Collette and Hugo Weaving but in my opinion it missed being a much better movie .
I must read the book hopefully it will answer the questions the movie leaves up in the air such as why Jasper goes to Charlie for help when he's never spoken to him previously? I may be wrong but I suspect readers of the book may be disappointed not in the actors but in the Production of this movie.
I think it needed a better Director and production crew. A few obvious gaffs were Charlie suddenly wearing a pair of sandals after climbing out of his window barefoot? and the cut on his face suddenly disappearing overnight, these are trivial things I know but points to bad editing and attention to details and this story deserved more. In summary very entertaining and enjoyable but a little frustrating and plot puzzling.
I must read the book hopefully it will answer the questions the movie leaves up in the air such as why Jasper goes to Charlie for help when he's never spoken to him previously? I may be wrong but I suspect readers of the book may be disappointed not in the actors but in the Production of this movie.
I think it needed a better Director and production crew. A few obvious gaffs were Charlie suddenly wearing a pair of sandals after climbing out of his window barefoot? and the cut on his face suddenly disappearing overnight, these are trivial things I know but points to bad editing and attention to details and this story deserved more. In summary very entertaining and enjoyable but a little frustrating and plot puzzling.
Australian story, it was 1969 and Charlie was coming of age.
TxMike16 August 2018
My wife and I watched this movie at home on DVD from our public library. It is mostly unmemorable but has a number of good actors in it.
Set in a small Western Australia community, Corrigan, it is 1969 and some locals have lost sons in the war in Vietnam. This creates some racial tension with a local Vietnamese family.
Jasper Jones is a teenage boy living there, he is mistrusted because of his mixed race heritage, a white father and an Aboriginal mother. He is also angry because of the way he perceives himself.
The boys stumble upon a person hanging from a tree, they quickly assume it is the work of the old man that people whisper about.
So the movie is sort of a slice of life in this community, how people behave and react to what is going on. And the resolution of circumstances involving the deceased. Plus young Charlie's coming of age.
It is an interesting 1.5+ hour movie.
Set in a small Western Australia community, Corrigan, it is 1969 and some locals have lost sons in the war in Vietnam. This creates some racial tension with a local Vietnamese family.
Jasper Jones is a teenage boy living there, he is mistrusted because of his mixed race heritage, a white father and an Aboriginal mother. He is also angry because of the way he perceives himself.
The boys stumble upon a person hanging from a tree, they quickly assume it is the work of the old man that people whisper about.
So the movie is sort of a slice of life in this community, how people behave and react to what is going on. And the resolution of circumstances involving the deceased. Plus young Charlie's coming of age.
It is an interesting 1.5+ hour movie.
Australian Indie is Engaging
larrys327 May 2018
Set in the small Western Australian town of Corrigan, in 1969, this Australian indie has loads of concurrent themes abounding, including a murder mystery, the blatant racism of the time, sexual molestation, infidelity, loyalty, friendship, and the list goes on.
Although the film may have thrown "one iron into the fire" too many, I still found it to be quite engaging, and it kept my interest as to how this would all play out. There's a strong cast here as well, led by Levi Miller, Toni Collette, Angourie Rice, Aaron McGrath, and Dan Wylie.
Overall, this coming-of-age tale, directed by Rachel Perkins, with a screenplay by Shaun Grant and Craig Silvey, based on his novel, may not always work, but it contains some solid twists and surprises and it kept my interest throughout.
Although the film may have thrown "one iron into the fire" too many, I still found it to be quite engaging, and it kept my interest as to how this would all play out. There's a strong cast here as well, led by Levi Miller, Toni Collette, Angourie Rice, Aaron McGrath, and Dan Wylie.
Overall, this coming-of-age tale, directed by Rachel Perkins, with a screenplay by Shaun Grant and Craig Silvey, based on his novel, may not always work, but it contains some solid twists and surprises and it kept my interest throughout.
A mystery surrounding a girl's death.
Reno-Rangan14 December 2017
An Australia's murder mystery set in a small town. The film was based on the novel of the same name. Starred by the next generation Aussie actors like Levi Miller and Angourie Rice. But the film was not what I had expected. Just okayish. Not at first glance I liked it, because I thought it was a little out of common sense, even from the kid's perspective. I don't blame the entire film, but the opening. Too intentional and right away jumped into the suspense.
This is a children's film, the story of teenagers, and a mystery surrounding the death of a girl. After the unconvinced start, not even the end brought any consolation. Though it could have been for just me. That's what I felt. So according to me, only the mid parts held the film for me to look for something in the later. All it had was the wonder characters and the storyline. The rest of the film failed to stretch with the best developments. Definitely a good tale for literature, but for a film, to witness everything on the visuals, it needed more detail. Only if it had depth, I would have found it a better film.
The story that happened in the holiday week that comes between the Christmas and the New Year. In a fictional Aussie town called Corrigan, a young Charlie was approached by Jasper in the middle of the night. Later he comes to know Jasper's girlfriend has been murdered. Now they are set to find who did it and why bofore the athorities do! The following days are crucial for both of them as the whole town is terrified by the incident. When the time comes to the truth, the secrets were revealed just before the film's end.
-xX] You're just like her, your mother. You're peas in a pod, you two. [Xx-
There was a little distraction like the Vietnam war, racism. All the above, the character Jasper Jones seemed an imagination of Charlie. Because of his secret appearance, but that did not last long. Yet the murder mystery always stayed top of the film topic. When the end revealed everything, that reminded me the films of 60-70 years ago. The timeline for this film too was in the same period, precisely 1969. The locations were awesome, the cinematography should be appreciated.
I thought the Jeffrey was an under-used or unrequired character, until the cricket match scene that's dedicated to him. Following it, what happened to his family was a nice flow of the story. Charlie's family too, the issue of the parents, crisis is their marriage. As I said, the film had ingredient, but did not cook properly. The reviewers, the film critics comparing it to some of the classics like 'To Kill a Mockingbird' to 'Stand By Me'. But I would say, it is too late to come to get equal status of those films. It was just an above average, but if it came in the 80s or 90s, surely would have been a gem and changed the Australian filmdom.
Despite the film title, the story was narrated by Charlie, the one who developed an unexpected relation in the most extreme situation with Jasper Jones. Apart from one worst week of his life, he also finds his first love. A coming-of-age film, worth a watch, but no doubt that it should have better. Not sure if the majority would like it or dislike it, but it is once watchable film. Finally, it got nominated for the Australian Academy Awards for this year (2017) in six categories, sadly it had won nothing. I hope that should not be a reason for you to skip it!
6/10
This is a children's film, the story of teenagers, and a mystery surrounding the death of a girl. After the unconvinced start, not even the end brought any consolation. Though it could have been for just me. That's what I felt. So according to me, only the mid parts held the film for me to look for something in the later. All it had was the wonder characters and the storyline. The rest of the film failed to stretch with the best developments. Definitely a good tale for literature, but for a film, to witness everything on the visuals, it needed more detail. Only if it had depth, I would have found it a better film.
The story that happened in the holiday week that comes between the Christmas and the New Year. In a fictional Aussie town called Corrigan, a young Charlie was approached by Jasper in the middle of the night. Later he comes to know Jasper's girlfriend has been murdered. Now they are set to find who did it and why bofore the athorities do! The following days are crucial for both of them as the whole town is terrified by the incident. When the time comes to the truth, the secrets were revealed just before the film's end.
-xX] You're just like her, your mother. You're peas in a pod, you two. [Xx-
There was a little distraction like the Vietnam war, racism. All the above, the character Jasper Jones seemed an imagination of Charlie. Because of his secret appearance, but that did not last long. Yet the murder mystery always stayed top of the film topic. When the end revealed everything, that reminded me the films of 60-70 years ago. The timeline for this film too was in the same period, precisely 1969. The locations were awesome, the cinematography should be appreciated.
I thought the Jeffrey was an under-used or unrequired character, until the cricket match scene that's dedicated to him. Following it, what happened to his family was a nice flow of the story. Charlie's family too, the issue of the parents, crisis is their marriage. As I said, the film had ingredient, but did not cook properly. The reviewers, the film critics comparing it to some of the classics like 'To Kill a Mockingbird' to 'Stand By Me'. But I would say, it is too late to come to get equal status of those films. It was just an above average, but if it came in the 80s or 90s, surely would have been a gem and changed the Australian filmdom.
Despite the film title, the story was narrated by Charlie, the one who developed an unexpected relation in the most extreme situation with Jasper Jones. Apart from one worst week of his life, he also finds his first love. A coming-of-age film, worth a watch, but no doubt that it should have better. Not sure if the majority would like it or dislike it, but it is once watchable film. Finally, it got nominated for the Australian Academy Awards for this year (2017) in six categories, sadly it had won nothing. I hope that should not be a reason for you to skip it!
6/10
A good family movie (from a ever dwindling supply)
eyefordetail30 July 2017
These days you have a hard time to select a movie to watch as a family. With the moral fiber of the world worn thin and the moral compass of the industry spinning out of control, it is good to find a gem ever so often. And where better to find it than Australia. I took note of the other reviews being a little from Aussie to Aussie, so I just had to break borders and rate from across the sea, albeit it still in the Southern Hemisphere. (I am sure that a Christmas tree in summer must seem a bit odd to the Northern viewers, but we are very comfortable with that, thankyouverymuch. The movie is very well acted and has the two talented youngsters Angourie Rice and Levi Miller supported by none other than Toni Collette (big fan) and Hugo Weaving. And I mean supported. They do not take center stage in this coming-of-age drama. The story is well told and the elements of racial tension and bias is well crafted and well resolved. 1969, and even if Australia is a world away, the world intrudes. We all enjoyed the movie tremendously, and even though it deals with adult topics, it makes it accessible for all ages. If you want an easy watching movie with the family, this is a good pick. You will be surprised.
Good but unsatisfactory resolution
lmabadie2 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I have to say that I watched the movie with interest.
But when finished, I was not really satisfied. The resolution of the plot is not satisfactory or credible. And it was really unnecessary. There are just too many things going on, all at the same time. Racism, sexism, incest, infidelity, romance, friendship, suicide, sport epics.... it was just too much.
It is hard to believe than in a racist town and in that time period, a white girl, daughter from a prominent white and racist guy would fall and keep a hidden relationship with a mixed race outcast. Simply not credible.
But then you throw an incest relationship in top of that, including pregnancy. And topping that, the wife hides the issue without calling the police once discovered? They basically ruined what could have been a good movie.
But when finished, I was not really satisfied. The resolution of the plot is not satisfactory or credible. And it was really unnecessary. There are just too many things going on, all at the same time. Racism, sexism, incest, infidelity, romance, friendship, suicide, sport epics.... it was just too much.
It is hard to believe than in a racist town and in that time period, a white girl, daughter from a prominent white and racist guy would fall and keep a hidden relationship with a mixed race outcast. Simply not credible.
But then you throw an incest relationship in top of that, including pregnancy. And topping that, the wife hides the issue without calling the police once discovered? They basically ruined what could have been a good movie.
It could have been great...
eyeintrees16 July 2017
This should have been a riveting story but it was actually limp. The story is important. It could have perhaps been saved had the director gone for realism.
For instance, in 1969, no small town Aussie kid spoke as if they were straight out of a preppie school in Britain. I might have forgiven this massive oversight if perhaps the parents of the said children were all Oxford professors but no, Toni Collette knew how to be her Australian best as did every other adult in the film, but somehow the kids, including the young Indigenous man, flopped into this small pint pot of a place with plums in their gobs. This set me on edge immediately. Get it real or forget it.
Too uneven to be enjoyable. The opening scenes are wonderfully iconic of country Australia in the era but that's where the realism ends.
All important topics utterly wasted: The effects of racism, incest, teen suicide, parents betraying their children and behaving badly... this could seriously have been a brilliant piece but I'll forget it as soon as I've finished this review. Except for the irritation of small town kids in 1969 speaking like private school kids from 2017.
For instance, in 1969, no small town Aussie kid spoke as if they were straight out of a preppie school in Britain. I might have forgiven this massive oversight if perhaps the parents of the said children were all Oxford professors but no, Toni Collette knew how to be her Australian best as did every other adult in the film, but somehow the kids, including the young Indigenous man, flopped into this small pint pot of a place with plums in their gobs. This set me on edge immediately. Get it real or forget it.
Too uneven to be enjoyable. The opening scenes are wonderfully iconic of country Australia in the era but that's where the realism ends.
All important topics utterly wasted: The effects of racism, incest, teen suicide, parents betraying their children and behaving badly... this could seriously have been a brilliant piece but I'll forget it as soon as I've finished this review. Except for the irritation of small town kids in 1969 speaking like private school kids from 2017.
Well made Aussie Movie
jon-aloni-161-417865 January 2019
Rachel Perkins has directed another terrific, simple, Australian film here. Adds to illustrious titles including Radiance and Bran Nue Day. There was certainly good material to work with, being based on the young adult book by Craig Silvey, who has also co-written the screenplay. It looks nice, still has currency today and the acting is once again terrific from most of the players. Toni Collette as usual, Hugo Weaving in a cameo role. An understated but really good Dan Wylie, and a terrific performance from young Levi Miller. All in all a really well made film.
A strong drama thriller from Australia
vampire_hounddog21 August 2020
In a small rural Australian town, a teenage girl has gone missing leading locals to blame an Aboriginal boy, Jasper Jones (Aaron L. McGrath) who has gone into hiding. Jasper is aware that she has been murdered. He approaches his teen friend, white boy Charlie (Levi Muller) whom he seeks to help him uncover the truth as to who killed her as he know as an Aboriginal no one will believe him. The events put Charlie under a great deal of strain.
An interesting and overall satisfying sleeper thriller that will keep the viewer enthralled throughout. It moves at a nice steady pace and avoids falling into melodrama or any enforced excesses.
An interesting and overall satisfying sleeper thriller that will keep the viewer enthralled throughout. It moves at a nice steady pace and avoids falling into melodrama or any enforced excesses.
A brave but artificial attempt
taptoe-0904613 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
When Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton were reviewing Australian films on SBS they were always generous with their ratings, no matter how manifestly awful the film was. They felt it their duty to support home grown product and clearly preferred compliancy to controversy. The same can be said for some of the Aussie reviewers here who are just as clearly seeing the film through rose coloured glasses. Up front it must be said that Toni Collette and Hugo Weaving are typically flawless in their supporting roles, though I suspect the former had misgivings about one scene in which she feels the need to administer a rather dubious and extreme punishment to Charlie. Levi Miller is the find of the film, showing a maturity beyond his years with a sensitive and endearing multi-faceted performance as the set-upon Charlie, who is privy to Jasper's secret and uncertain what to do wit it. The rest of the acting, including the title performance, is at best uneven, as is the direction. I confess my aversion to "fart" gags in movies. When are fart gags going to be see as unfunny, as is one here, demonstrated by Charlie's dad and out of character with anything the role demands of Dan Wyllie on screen. Collette and Miller aside (Weaving has only one noteworthy scene), Jasper Jones lacks conviction and credibility. I caught up with it on Foxtel's "Masterpiece" movie channel. The best that can be said is that lesser films have been less worthy of the aggrandisement.
Morbid and kind of boring
SacredAvatar3 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
First 10 minutes of the movie, includes 2 boys drowning the body of a dead girl with a huge rock. People do things that doesn't make sense a lot. Maybe it's the Australian culture and that is normal behavior for the people down under. This has been more time I want to spend on this dumb movie
Interesting and intelligent kids "slow afternoon" movie
spavlakovic-934-9759051 January 2019
Intelligent movie which will keep your brains up all the time. It has everything you need for uncovering true problems rapped up around murder case. Mostly rasism and family issues are covered so the movie will be great for teenagers. It doesn't pretend to going through a lot of subjects but the ones mentioned are nicely covered.
Missing Links!
spookyrat116 July 2022
Based on a very popular 2009 Australian novel by Craig Silvey, Rachel Perkins's Jasper Jones is a good movie in all respects, apart from being lumbered with I have to presume (since I haven't read the book) an oddly assembled narrative, that ends up prompting more questions from the viewer, than answers provided onscreen.
It's a late 1960s coming-of-age story set in the fictional southern Western Australian town of Corrigin, placid on the surface but with tensions roiling beneath its white picket fence exteriors. The titular character is not as might be expected the central protagonist. He, of indigenous blood, is but a support character, to Charlie Bucktin, who in his own words describes himself as a shy, bookworm in his early teens. At any rate, in the film's first few minutes, the pair head out into the moonlit bush, where Charlie learns a ghastly secret and has to make some tough choices.
There's a lot going on in Jasper Jones and many I think would argue too much in the narrative sense. Why for instance does Jasper seek out Charlie in the middle of the night, when its admitted they'd never had any form of previous relationship whatsoever, apart from knowing of each other's existence? Jasper and his best friend Jeffrey are supposed to be hideously bullied at school. Yet we never see any evidence of this apart from a fairly minor episode with Jeffrey at an after - school cricket practice. In fact there are no school scenes at all; a little odd, seeing Jasper's father Wes, is an English teacher at the local high school. Wes, in one of the many threads in this movie, emerges in our and certainly Charlie's eyes as the pre - eminent honourable character in the story. Yet later in the movie when Charlie and his significant other, Eliza (a terrific Angourie Rice), are desperately seeking an honest adult with whom to share some extremely disturbing news, Wes, bizarrely doesn't appear on their horizons. Instead, Charlie trundles off to report to another character we know he doesn't trust from events rising from another story thread. Get the picture! There's lots of things in Jasper Jones that just don't really add up. Concomitant to this, we have other sub - stories such as the one involving Jasper's mother Ruth, which you just feel probably should belong in a completely different movie. It's also pretty galling to ultimately find out, that the so - called central mystery of the film would have been revealed in the first act, if 2 of the major characters had bothered to be less obtuse with one another in their many frequent exchanges. Of course this occurring would have made for a much shorter feature.
It's a shame because as mentioned above, Jasper Jones in all other respects is a production of high standards. The cinematography is first class, with the timber town of Pemberton and its surrounding karri forests, presented as, superficially anyway, a somewhat idyllic, summer setting. The acting is collectively strong, with standouts for me, being the aforementioned Rice. Hugo Weaving playing a Boo Radley type character with secrets to be revealed in the film's second half doesn't disappoint. And as intimated above, a perplexingly underused Dan Wyllie as Wes, who you feel really should have played more of a dominant role in the third act. The musical soundtrack assembled by Antony Partos is spare, whilst always being suitably evocative of the location and its era.
What's ends up missing in this comely, Antipodean coming-of-age drama is that firmer rendering, making its main story more compelling and defined.
It's a late 1960s coming-of-age story set in the fictional southern Western Australian town of Corrigin, placid on the surface but with tensions roiling beneath its white picket fence exteriors. The titular character is not as might be expected the central protagonist. He, of indigenous blood, is but a support character, to Charlie Bucktin, who in his own words describes himself as a shy, bookworm in his early teens. At any rate, in the film's first few minutes, the pair head out into the moonlit bush, where Charlie learns a ghastly secret and has to make some tough choices.
There's a lot going on in Jasper Jones and many I think would argue too much in the narrative sense. Why for instance does Jasper seek out Charlie in the middle of the night, when its admitted they'd never had any form of previous relationship whatsoever, apart from knowing of each other's existence? Jasper and his best friend Jeffrey are supposed to be hideously bullied at school. Yet we never see any evidence of this apart from a fairly minor episode with Jeffrey at an after - school cricket practice. In fact there are no school scenes at all; a little odd, seeing Jasper's father Wes, is an English teacher at the local high school. Wes, in one of the many threads in this movie, emerges in our and certainly Charlie's eyes as the pre - eminent honourable character in the story. Yet later in the movie when Charlie and his significant other, Eliza (a terrific Angourie Rice), are desperately seeking an honest adult with whom to share some extremely disturbing news, Wes, bizarrely doesn't appear on their horizons. Instead, Charlie trundles off to report to another character we know he doesn't trust from events rising from another story thread. Get the picture! There's lots of things in Jasper Jones that just don't really add up. Concomitant to this, we have other sub - stories such as the one involving Jasper's mother Ruth, which you just feel probably should belong in a completely different movie. It's also pretty galling to ultimately find out, that the so - called central mystery of the film would have been revealed in the first act, if 2 of the major characters had bothered to be less obtuse with one another in their many frequent exchanges. Of course this occurring would have made for a much shorter feature.
It's a shame because as mentioned above, Jasper Jones in all other respects is a production of high standards. The cinematography is first class, with the timber town of Pemberton and its surrounding karri forests, presented as, superficially anyway, a somewhat idyllic, summer setting. The acting is collectively strong, with standouts for me, being the aforementioned Rice. Hugo Weaving playing a Boo Radley type character with secrets to be revealed in the film's second half doesn't disappoint. And as intimated above, a perplexingly underused Dan Wyllie as Wes, who you feel really should have played more of a dominant role in the third act. The musical soundtrack assembled by Antony Partos is spare, whilst always being suitably evocative of the location and its era.
What's ends up missing in this comely, Antipodean coming-of-age drama is that firmer rendering, making its main story more compelling and defined.
Starts strong
patsteves27 December 2019
Hmm... This started with a very dark but intriguing premise as a mysterious teenage character (the title character Jasper Jones) pulls our adolescent protagonist out of bed in the middle of the night to "help" him. He leads the boy to a teenage girl who is hanging dead from a tree on his property. But slowly the movie loses momentum and ends in a very unsatisfying manner with lots some unanswered questions and emotional letdowns. Strong setting and strong performances with some good individual scenes but overall, it's weak on story.
See the movie, then read the book.
philipmccombie24 June 2017
Unfortunately I had already read the book. I had preconceived ideas about Charles Bucktin. However, I was able to adapt and accept Levi Miller playing the part. I always the thought the book had some flat spots, so the movie is better in keeping the pace going. I prayed that director Rachel Perkins wasn't going to turn this into a musical or something whimsical, fortunately that did not happen. Looking forward to getting the DVD.
And she wrote what?
ldetorquemada6 January 2018
The only thing I'll say is that the movie looks good. Outside of that, it assumes several stands that are nonsense when considered in its historical context. But, beyond that, one of the most important plot twists is a long note full of extremely personal details left by a dead woman to her lover, who happens to be illiterate! Can't even read the word "sorry."
It's the type of mistake that turns a so-so movie into a joke.
It's the type of mistake that turns a so-so movie into a joke.
I LOVE IT
kaiaantoniou26 June 2018
Do yourself a favour
catho_catho_catho11 June 2020
Australia's answer to To Kill a Mocking Bird
sherstinton8 June 2019
A beautifully realised version of the book with all its atmosphere crossing from a dark murder mystery to the prejudices held in the town against Jasper the cinematography certainly evokes the era perfectly the colours and the performances of Levi Miller and Angoyrie Rice
Read the book
ryandenny7 May 2018
When I saw this was finally getting the film treatment I was excited, but I was left a little disappointed. The movie is visually enjoyable/well shot, but doesn't quite live up to the book. The character development in the film is lacking
Another Great Aussie Movie
bjarscott16 June 2017
Nothing better than watching a good Aussie movie, I can't get enough of them.... :) and this is another one. Love the story line, fantastic actors, location. I've watched the movie twice now and most likely watch it many more time. Well done to the writer/director/producer for creating this story/movie and the actors, they portrayed Australia in the 50s to a T.. I would definitely recommend watching this movie.
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