Men’s Group film review

Men’s Group is being shown at the Frankston Arts Centre on Monday November 16th at 7pm. Details here.

This review by NEIL WALKER was published in the August editions of our seven community newspapers.

Having unlikeable characters isn’t a charge that can be levelled against Men’s Group. Yes, the six men featured – Paul, Freddy, Cecil, Lucas, Moses and Alex – who meet weekly to discuss their lives and current issues have gruff exteriors and you couldn’t say they’re all saints but it’s affecting to see them struggle to articulate their feelings amid much male embarrassment at indulging in “a sookfest”, as the cynical Moses succinctly puts it at one stage in proceedings.

This is not even a low budget movie – it’s a no budget movie. Shot on digital video, not film stock, its grainy and fly-on-the-wall look may be initially offputting but given time Men’s Group’s apparent flaws work in its favour. There’s a real sense of being a participant, or at the very least an eavesdropper, in the men’s discussions about loneliness, relationships and fatherhood. This effect is due in no small part to the restricted budget making everything depicted seem real and raw.

A ‘no name’ cast also serves the film’s premise well. It’s easy to believe in these guys as they wrestle with their personal demons. Every performance is outstanding, from the sad clown that is stand up comedian Freddy to the coldly psychopathic Lucas. Most male viewers will identify with at least one of these blokes, be it the ‘normal’ middle aged Alex struggling to communicate with his teenage son, the elderly Cecil who’s bewildered to be alone since his wife died or the less than upfront Paul, who’s a good listener but is less than honest to the group about his own domestic situation.

After many awkward meetings, a traumatic event forces the group to open up. Some cope better than others with unleashing their innermost feelings. Some find a way to move on, others are seemingly trapped to repeat the mistakes of their past. There’s no easy resolutions. Glimpses of the men’s day-to-day lives outside the confines of the weekly meetings also provide further insight into their state of mind.

This isn’t a light hearted movie, although there are moments of black humour to occasionally brighten proceedings. It’s by no means a Friday (or indeed Saturday) night ‘feel good’ movie but there is definitely something heartwarming about watching some of the group take responsibilty for their lives and personal happiness.

If you’re in the mood for some serious adult fare featuring top notch acting then Men’s Group is a local release well worth considering.