2:37

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2:37

Promotional poster for 2:37.
Directed by Murali K. Thalluri
Produced by Murali K. Thalluri
Nick Matthews
Kent Smith
Gary Hamilton
Written by Murali K. Thalluri
Starring Frank Sweet
Joel Mackenzie
Teresa Palmer
Marni Spillane
Music by Mark Tschanz
Cinematography Nick Matthews
Editing by Murali K. Thalluri
Nick Matthews
Dale Roberts
Distributed by Roadshow Entertainment
Release date(s) August 17, 2006
Running time 94 min.
Country Australia
Language English
Budget AUD $1,100,000
IMDb profile

2:37 (also known as Two Thirty 7) is a 2006 Australian drama film, written, produced and directed by debut film-maker Murali K. Thalluri and starring an ensemble cast including Joel Mackenzie, Teresa Palmer, Frank Sweet, Gary Sweet and Clementine Mellor. 2:37 was filmed entirely in Adelaide, Australia with most scenes filmed on location at St. Ignatius' College.

2:37 had its world premiere at Cannes and its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was released in Australia on 17 August 2006.

Contents

[edit] Cast

Principal Cast and Characters
Teresa Palmer as Melody
Joel Mackenzie as Sean
Frank Sweet as Marcus
Gary Sweet as Mr. Darcy
Charles Baird as "Uneven" Steven
Marni Spillane as Sarah
Sam Harris as Luke
Sarah Hudson as Julie
Clementine Mellor as Kelly

[edit] Plot

"Uneven" Steven (Charles Baird) is admonished by Mr. Darcy (Gary Sweet).
"Uneven" Steven (Charles Baird) is admonished by Mr. Darcy (Gary Sweet).

A contemporary, ensemble drama telling the complex tale of six high school students whose lives are interwoven with situations that so many of today's youth are faced with. Each of the six students have their own personal problems and goals.

The story takes place during a normal school day. At precisely 2:37 a tragic suicide will occur, affecting the lives of a group of students and their teachers. As the story unfolds, the individual stories of the six teenagers are revealed, each with its own explosive significance. This eventually leads up to one of the characters taking their own life.

[edit] Reaction

The film has encountered early commercial success, generating more than three times its production costs in distribution sales. Another early victory for the film was an apparent 17 minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival.[1]

Critics and audiences have been divided in their reaction, particularly regarding the graphic teenage suicide scene at the end of the film. Some mental health groups have described the film as "dangerous" [2], with concerns that it will lead to copycat suicides. Variety's Justin Chang has described it as "A queasy exploitation picture masquerading as a serious dramatic treatment of teen suicide".[3] Preview screenings have reportedly led to some audience members walking out or fainting in response to the graphic rape and suicide scenes. Other critics have claimed that the film is too similar to Gus Van Sant's 2003 film Elephant.[4]

However, some critics have praised the movie. Urban Cinefile calls it "a stunning debut" [5] for Thalluri, who made the film at the age of 20. The Age's Tracee Hutchison has described the film as "beautiful", saying that it "should be screened to year 11 and 12 students in every high school",[6] although the film's R18+ rating in Australia means that this cannot legally occur. The film's rating has been very disappointing for Thalluri, who has been quoted as being "gutted" [7] that the intended audience of young teenagers will not have the opportunity to view the film. Thalluri has stated that the purpose of the suicide scene was to depict the suffering and regret of the suicide victim, and to dispel any implication that the act of suicide is easy or simple.[8]

Further controversy has arisen around Thalluri's claims that the movie was written about a teenage friend who sent him a video suicide note before taking her life. Investigations by The Australian questioned the existence of Thalluri's friend, as well as other statements he has made about events in his own life which led to the film's creation.[9] However, his cousin Ann has publicly defended his story[10] and Thalluri himself called the claims "offensive", "rude" and "ridiculous".[11]

[edit] Similarities to Elephant

  • The long, steadicam based scenes, many of them tracking students through school halls that appear strikingly similar.
  • Many of the same sound effects from Elephant where used in 2:37, most likely because both films had the same sound designer.
  • Both Elephant and 2:37 have repeated scenes.
  • Both films have a homosexual kissing scene.
  • Both films have an in school discussion about homosexuality.
  • The two films address the collective denial of an obvious problem.
  • Both films repeatedly feature shots of the sky during the beginning and end credits and throughout the films as a whole.

[edit] Festivals

[edit] Awards

Nominated:

[edit] References

  1. ^ Choose life Sydney Morning Herald. August 11, 2006.
  2. ^ Graphic movie suicide "a risk" The Age. July 26, 2006.
  3. ^ 2:37 Review Variety. May 26, 2006.
  4. ^ Thalluri's 2:37 'too much like Elephant' Ninemsn. May 28, 2006.
  5. ^ 2:37 Urban Cinefile.
  6. ^ R rating shackles, not protects, teenagers The Age. July 29, 2006.
  7. ^ On and up for philanthropic director Ninemsn. July 31, 2006.
  8. ^ A violent change of direction The Sydney Morning Herald. August 26-27, 2006.
  9. ^ Director's suicide claim 'fiction' The Australian. August 19, 2006.
  10. ^ A letter of support The Adelaide Advertiser. August 24, 2006.
  11. ^ A violent change of direction The Sydney Morning Herald. August 26-27, 2006.

[edit] External links

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