Amy (II) (1997) User Reviews

Only the ultimate macho's may not be touched by this movie

[philip_vanderveken · 8/10 · 12 April 2005]

If we talk about non-American movies, European and Asian cinema are quite well known, but Australia seems to stay behind a bit. However, from time to time one of their movies makes it all the way to one of our TV-stations and sometimes they offer a nice surprise. "Amy" is one of those Australian movies that are more than just worth a watch...

It is about an eight year old girl that has become mentally mute and deaf after she witnessed her father die on a stage during a rock concert. She lives with her mother on a farm, but because the government wants to take her from her mother, they are convinced that she is mistreated by her mom, they both move to the big city. Here they end up in a bad neighborhood, full of people who stand very low on the social ladder. At first the neighbors aren't too happy with the "intruders", but one of them soon finds out that he can communicate with Amy by making music and singing...

Even though the movie had its weaker moments, overall this is a very touching story that has been done in a very nice way. All the singing started to work a bit on my nerves after a while, but it wasn't that awful that it made me forget about the beauty of the movie. I guess you have to be the ultimate macho to say that this movie didn't touch you a bit and even then I wouldn't believe you. Personally I liked this movie very much and that's why I give it at least a 7.5/10.

Very well done and touching, still fairly standard style movie

[internetmarketing · 8/10 · 13 May 2005]

Although I liked 'Amy' a lot, and will give it high marks, I disagree with the statement by other reviewers that the movie differs a lot from the standard American fare.

Sure, the scenery is great, the people talk different accents, and the cops are almost British in their politeness. Yet, from a plot point of view this movie is as canonical as it can be. For starters there is the not so subtle emotional plot line of a mother and her daughter who have not completed mourning their loved one. There is a considerable amount of bad guys and good guys, whose roles sometimes flip. Halfway through the film there is an extended chase and search sequence. Then there are the characters with a serious deficiency, like the guitar player who is a dropout, which turns out to be a great asset in the plot. I mean, this is Disney! And last but not least there is the happy ending.

Touching and Original Rock 'n' Roll Family Tale

[noralee · 8/10 · 19 December 2005]

"Amy" is an Australian Post "(Almost) Famous "with the side themes of Rock 'n' Roll Giveth and Rock 'n' Roll Takes It Away, or Our Lives Were All Saved By Rock 'n' Roll.

Combining the kind of grittiness and optimistic magic realism of "Billy Elliott," with the Ozzie quirky characters of "Muriel's Wedding," "Amy" avoids over-sentimentalizing its story of a grieving rock star widow and daughter and the other dysfunctionals who befriend them against a range of outsiders.

The original music is enjoyable, the covers unusual and the little girl with the luminous eyes and surprising voice startlingly good.

Rachel Griffiths has great chemistry in a changing relationship with a strong Ben Mendelsohn as a reclusive musician who is as touched by the girl as she is by him.

The supporting nuts are great fun, especially when singing.

We also get a nice tour of Melbourne as a bonus.

(originally written 5/27/2001))

Outstanding Australian Movie

[jesshall · 7/10 · 3 June 2006]

Amy is one of the first Australian movies in a long time to hit a true cord! For those that have hit a hard time and know what it is like to live on the outskirts after having been given a glimpse of the high life, this movie will hit home.

Performances by Rachel Griffiths, Alana De Roma & even Nick Barker are outstanding.

The soundtrack complimnents the film from every angle Nick Barker has outdone himself.

This is a movie that that moves and is capable of making us all feel.

On a side note even those of us that find Ben Mendelson annoying can live with his performance in this film!

Absolutely incredible

[Ulex · 10/10 · 16 September 1999]

I saw this movie at the Heartland Film Festival last year here in Indy, and I though it was probably one of the best movies I saw last year. Even if it wasn't, it was certainly the most original and different I've seen in quite a long time.

It is the story of Amy a young girl who has been mysteriously deaf-mute for several years, for no medical reason. She lives with her protective mother, played by Rachel Griffiths, who tries, with no avail, to understand her daughter's condition.

Most of the plot involves their move to small alley in a downtown Australian town, which is populated with all sorts of different, funny characters. The film goes along with just the right pacing---it doesn't rush or lag, just goes along, much like its characters, who aren't entirely sure of where their lives are going, but go on anyways.

This film blends tragedy, comedy, drama, and fantasy without every confining itself to one genre. It creates its own world, using nothing but a subtle script and incredible acting.

One more comment: I thought that the scene involving the little girl and the little guy, and his drumset had to be one of the cutest scenes I've seen in over a decade.

My Fav movie ever!

[starette · 10/10 · 17 June 2000]

As there are no comments here on my fav film i thought i'd put one. I found this film amazing. I loved it. i have now watched it 4 times on video and thinking of watching it again this afternoon. It's a fine movie to show the world just how great and touching our movies can be. Rachel Griffiths and Alana De Roma were excellent. And all supporting cast were fab. And the songs were great and well picked for where they were put into the story. Okay i better get back to my h/w now. Then watch AmY again!

Quirky movie

[grinna · 9 March 1999]

I liked this movie but I was a bit confused as to what sort of movie it was - I would say it was a pot pourri of type. Was it a drama with quirky little pieces of dark comedy and surrealism thrown in for good measure? One wonders whether the director or producers could not make their minds up as to what type of movie it would be. Perhaps everyone got their way. It might have made more at the box office if it had been a children's story - which it probably is, if you take out the swearwords, and family violence etc. In my opinion, this great cast of actors might have been a little bit let down by the script, which could have built better stories of victory over adversity with each character, and also added a little more surrealism.

This movie certainly showed some dramatic snapshots of some of the lives and situations of people living in Australia. The coppers singing whilst searching for Amy was fantastic. Mendelsohn's 'lyrics of life' were also deep and meaningful.

Alana De Roma's performance as a singer and actor were excellent. Golly, has she got a future!

I would rate this movie as a 6.5 out of 10; well worth watching.

[Was it a touch of irony that one time Melbourne rock legend Bobby Bright played the busker on the street? Why wasn't he singing "Hitch Hiker"?]

In the end, I wish I was the one being deaf.

[rumagent · 2/10 · 17 January 2004]

While this movie starts out pretty well. However, it soon degenerates into utter rubbish. It begins well enough. Interesting characters, good cast and what looks to be a good story, but soon whatever promise was there to begin with is drowned in 80 minutes of happy ending and increasingly horrible singing. In the end, I wish I was the one being deaf.

I rated it 2/10. Gigli is worse - but not much!

Alana De Roma

[SnowYs · 10/10 · 11 February 1999]

I'd have to say I wouldn't like this movie half as much as I do if the little girl, Amy, hadn't been such a wonderful actress. I was just blown away by her singing abilities, as well as her acting abilities. I hope we see more of Alana in the future.

Great idea, shame about the rest.

[DukeEman · 5/10 · 6 February 2003]

Little girl Amy witnesses the death of her pop star father and withdraws from life. The only means of communicating to her is through song. What a wonderful idea but poorly executed. The script needed to go through further drafts to eliminate the repetitiveness and the unbalanced genre!

Strong Aussie film that presses big emotional buttons

[hursto · 9/10 · 12 November 1998]

This film really triggered an emotional button in me. Although I picked certain flaws with parts of the scripting, the basic tale of the child who refused to speak after the death of her father, and would only communicate by singing really moved me to tears. Rachel Griffith's performance was exceptionally strong. My entire family aged from 9 to 50 cried buckets at this one, yet I can't accuse the film of being manipulative; just a good strong theme supported by great actors. The Aussie film industry is really coming of age, and as more big studio casting agents snap up our actors it lets the world see just what we have to offer.

It was so good i went out that day and bought it.

[shellkev · 10/10 · 11 March 2000]

I was so captured the first time i watched Amy, i went out, bought it, then watched it again, twice in one day, not bad. Amy is the type of movie you could have tucked up the back of your collection but when watched, will still give the same effect as the first time. It restores your faith in human kindness, by showing a group of people rallying around to help a special little girl. It makes you laugh, cry.. oh boy it makes you cry,and as the cover states.. "you've heard nothing until you hear her song' is so true.. brilliant Australian Movie, should make the industry proud...Rachel Griffiths, Ben Mendelsohn and Alana De Roma, were fantastic.. If you haven't seen Amy,you are missing something special...

Good Grief

[dogboymartin71 · 1/10 · 4 June 2022]

As a long time film buff, especially of Australian movies, i'm prepared to see a fair bit of dodgy material. To be fair that doesn't always ruin the movie, there's plenty of b-grade Aussie flicks that are true classics. This however is not one of them. You'd think a movie with music as its core plot would have a great soundtrack, think again. Totally wasted by the music department with childish sing-song rubbish throughout and a script based in stupidville. Totally cartoonish characters and not in a good way. My new official No.1 worst movie i've ever seen. Avoid.

iv cried my eyes out

[strife_ · 10/10 · 20 July 2002]

the most beautiful movie iv ever seen, first the end titles appeared i noticed that my face was covered in tears and that my back was really hurting cuz of the awkward position iv been sitting in during the whole move.. MUST SEE!

A brilliant Australian film

[Sam-292 · 23 April 2000]

I rented Amy with hesitance after reading that it was an Australian movie, and to be quite honest with you, I am not a huge fan of the movies that are produced in my country. Amy, however, is a brilliant film which does not focus on the typical Australian stereotypes which have previously dominated the majority of Australian movies. Instead, it relies on fantastic acting, dry humour and an intriguing storyline to capture the audience's attention. As I watched, I found myself being drawn into the mystery of Amy, a young girl who became traumatised after watching an incident which is only revealed after her mother experiences flashbacks to the event in the middle of the movie. This particular scene is superbly acted by Rachel Griffiths, and precisely depicts why Amy has withdrawn herself into a world of silence. Amy is a fantastic film which showcases Australian film production at its very finest.

Excruciatingly Execrable

[tonyhic · 1/10 · 12 August 2002]

At first, this just looked a little bit smarmy, and we take comfort in the fact that the cute little girl can't speak. But no, we have to have a happy ending, so the hard-hearted neighbours discover that the girl hears and speaks only melodies, so the second half of the film is sung in nursery rhyme melodies, and saccharine rhymes. It really is as vile as it sounds. I was screaming at them to stop. There are some good actors in this film. They must have been really hard-up to accept these jobs.

The girl sounds like that Nikki Webster wretch. I'm not sure whether she did the singing, but it was someone just as unbearable as her.

Amy...Brilliant...Australian...Real...Us!

[andrewr69 · 10/10 · 2 November 1999]

Amy is perhaps one the best Australian films ever made. Its character development, intensity of plot and rich/realistic mise en scene are perfect examples of what the Au. film industry are capable of. After such bombardment from polished, OTT, sanitised and join-the-dot-plot US films...AHHHH a refreshing change that is purely Australian, Real, and above all us!

A touching and good film.

[niggen · 9/10 · 27 October 1999]

Alana De Roma is a very talented, young actress. In her role as Amy she seems very real. The role is perfect for her. Many other commentators of this film is giving a plot summary. I`m not going to do that. I just want to give you the opportunity to go to the theater and see a great movie. The first time I saw this movie, was also the first time I heard applaud in the theater. In the beginning it seems like a heavy music video, but after a while the focus gets on Amy. The young girl who have lost her father. The music in this film is also great. It gets you into the right mood. Together with a truthful scenery of Melbourne, it lifts this film up like an elevator. The film gives you an opportunity to smile, and in the next moment, cry. I give top scores to Alana De Roma (Amy), Tanya Rammus (Rachel), Ben Mendelsohn (Robert) and the director: Nadia Tass. This is a film for real film lovers, for teachers, and others who want to see the best Australian movie ever.

A bloody good movie

[Rumba-2 · 20 March 1999]

This movie has it all. One minute you are laughing, the next a tear is falling from your eye. You cannot help but escape and become part of the image.

Could've been powerful, but ended up dismal

[Davalon-Davalon · 2/10 · 13 January 2024]

Although there were moments of great humor, and flashes of deep emotion, this story of Amy (a talented Alana De Roma), a young girl who becomes traumatized after seeing her rock star father Will (Nick Barker, who definitely had some charm) die on stage in a horrible accident, doesn't hit the marks it should.

Amy, it appears, has become a deaf mute after seeing her father's death. Amy's mother Tanya (a winsome Rachel Griffiths), who was Will's wife (I guess) learns that she is not going to get any of his money, despite his fame. She also learns, inexplicably that two members of Child Care services are after her because they have concerns that she's not properly taking care of Amy; how they would know that is beyond me. They confront Tanya at a house somewhere in the outback where Tanya lives with her Spanish-speaking father.

Tanya realizes the Child Care folks could create misery for her, so she literally leaves with Amy with a couple of suitcases and ends up in a sort of one level above Skid Row housing unit, where she thinks she'll escape Child Care services. While she's there, she encounters a street full of oddball neighbors who become aware of Amy's "handicap."

This allows for many side stories that, while humorless, were not essential to the main story. And that's the next problem: Tanya takes Amy to every specialist she can to find out why the girl isn't talking, when she was fine until the father died. But what Tanya isn't doing is telling them the truth about what happened. She, too, is living in some sort of parallel universe where Will is still alive. So, what happens is because of Robert, a somewhat obnoxious neighbor who sings constantly (Ben Mendelsohn), we the audience learn that Amy can sing. She won't talk, but she'll sing. This amazing news takes us another journey, which is impeded by the Child Care Services, by a horrible drunk neighbor, by other unsavory characters, until Tanya, Robert and a hearing specialist track Amy down at an open-air concert where she has ended up, imagining that she's hearing her father sing. Then when Tanya catches up to her, Amy gives her Oscar-winning (at least in the mind of the director) speech about how she's always believed that she was responsible for her father's death. I must say that the young actress playing Amy did a great job and she could really sing.

But the film wants to be too much at once and then wants to wrap everything up prettily.

Way too much to focus on, most of it unbelievable (such as: how did any of the people on the street where Tanya lived earn a living?).

If you have to do mental gymnastics in order to allow the narrative to make sense, you know you've wandered into a big mess. I feel the hearts of most of the people in this film were in the right place, but they really needed to run the script by a professional first.

One of the best Australian film dramas of all time!!

[ftriolo · 10/10 · 7 March 2003]

WHAT A FILM!!

This film has a wonderful cast, a wonderful script and touches your heart. Shot in Melbourne it provides the perfect backdrop for the story. I recommend this title to every human being who reads this!

stunning

[gorg_w · 10/10 · 19 June 2005]

this is an amazingly beautiful film that gets me tingly every time i watch it.

young Amy and her mother travel to the big city to try and crack Amy's psychological problem of being a deaf mute. to find the answer we meet great characters, and some real Aussie's.

comedy, drama, romance, tears.

possibly the best Australian film ever.

whenever i see it i end up with a warm feeling, and wishing i was a musician.

a must see for anyone with a heart.

The search for a lost girl

[Donal-2 · 9/10 · 2 September 1998]

Amy is the only daughter of famous (and dead) rock star Will Enker (Nick Cave) and his partner Tanya Rammus (Rachel Griffiths). As a young child on the road she witnessed the tragic death of her father, and since that night has been deaf.

Tanya wants to discover what is wrong with her daughter - because in all other ways she is a free-spirited angelic child. Social services are not so understanding, and so in an attempt to gain time to help Amy, Tanya goes into hiding in one of the inner city suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. In the street they end up on we meet a group of dysfunctional characters, including Robert Buchanan (Ben Mendelsohn), a starving but talented musician. In the process of 'finding' Amy, this group of dysfunctional people are bought together.

Keep an eye out for the singing coppers

Great Drama, Stupid Comedy

[Steve-176 · 29 November 1998]

The latest film from Australians Nadia Tass and David Parker (Malcom, The Big Steal, Stark, Mr Reliable, Ricky And Pete and Pure Luck) works superbly in some respects and woefully in others.

A little girl (Amy Enker) sees her rock star father (Nick Barker from The Reptiles) die from electrocution on stage. She then seems to be unable to speak or to even hear others. Her mother (Rachel Griffiths) refuses to have her daughter taken from her by welfare and they hide out in inner city Melbourne. There they meet assorted misfits and desperates including a musician called Robert (Ben Mendelsohn).

These film makers enjoy adding a slight touch of surrealism to their movies, especially to the peripheral characters. In Amy this takes the form of stupid eccentrics, in particular singing policemen, which some may find the most appealing element of the film but which I found annoying; only a distraction from that which is so much more effective.

The dramatic aspects of Amy are particularly strong. Rachel Griffiths and Ben Mendelsohn are two of our most emotive actors. The essential element of the film is the emotional pain the little girl and her mother are enduring caused by the death of a man they both loved dearly. Their grief is strongly portrayed.

The search by these two for a solution that may allow the daughter to escape her self imposed withdrawal from the world is poignant and demanded a film that steadfastly remained a drama.

Dad's electrocution, an utterly hateful paparazzi photographer and a helplessly crying young lad reeling from domestic violence and drunkenness are all I needed from Amy. The rest didn't fit at all.

It was also pretty unlikely that the little girl could sing so well, but hey, that's entertainment!

An enjoyable, heartfelt Australian film...

[mazunderscore · 8/10 · 22 March 2007]

The characters are believable and likable the story is heartwarming and well told. As usual Rachel Griffith is just wonderful in her performance as the cold, emotionally distraught mother, Tanya. Rachel seems to be able to say so much about her character using just her eyes.

Ben Mendelssohn is sweet and sexy as the neighbor Robert and Alana De Roma is just perfect as the little song tress, Amy. These three actors really hold the plot together along with the diverse Kerry Armstrong as neighbour, Sarah.

Some of the flash backs in this film seem quiet out of place. The shots of the deceased rock star Will, seem almost obsolete in their repetitiveness. Some of the more quirky and unbelievable scenes also seem to be quite out of place in this drama plot. There's nothing wrong with using comedy in a drama, but it's important not to border on the absurd.

However, Amy is worth watching if only for the characters and to show, as cheesy as it might sound, that peoples kindness can help you get through just about anything.