2:37

[d.a.walker]

I don't know if this film has been released outside of Australia properly, other than it's Cannes screening, but it is a marvellous film.

Dealing with the hell of high school and showing teenagers being teenagers, it really hits hard how awful that period in your life can be and how it often is a period of time that nobody else understands.

The film got an R18 (same as a UK18 or an American NC17) certificate here because of the intensity of it's subject matter, including a very strong suicide. Some of the press here took exception to the reality of the film in a very unaccepting way. It however was more of a fact that some people don't like to see how ugly life can be and would rather see it through a soap opera's rose tinted eyes.

The film was made by a 20 year old South Australian film student and received a 17 minute standing ovation at Cannes 2006.

[RobB]

It however was more of a fact that some people don't like to see how ugly life can be and would rather see it through a soap opera's rose tinted eyes.

Life indeed is / can be ugly but maybe some people are concerned that a film showing that reality will be an unwelcome influence on some impressionable people.

Whatever its certification, kids are going to see it and maybe (just as an example) think that suicide is an acceptable way of avoiding that ugliness?

Sounds like an interesting film and I'll be sure to check it out if it comes this way.

[d.a.walker]

A large amount of people have been of the consensus that this film should be seen by teenagers. A lot of teenagers who have seen it have stated that it opened up a mediumn between themselves and their parents to talk about issues that prior to the film they'd felt unable to approach. The film certainly reminded a lot of people about the high school era of ones lives and the pain that it often induces and in some cases is almost unbearable. The film shows the confusion, the guit, the conflicts, anger, the inability to come to terms with ones insticts, actions and true nature that teenagers go through. I know at that age I had a hellish time.

It shows how easy suicide is too. Which is a scary premise and in some contexts is of concern to be depicted the way it is on screen. But in it's defense it does not glorify the suicide, it justify's the regret, the pain and anguish, does not state whether it was right or wrong instead showing that suicide happens and for a lot of times for reasons the people left behind will never know or understand. Because the person in question was unable to talk about it. I applaude the film for being brave enough to try and bridge that gap between parents and teenagers.

I have rarely seen a film that shows such a true light on that age. My teenage years were so much closer to Twin Peaks than The OC for example and I think if anyone had filmed it it would have most certainly got an R18.

This is what is impressive about 2:37 as it is steeped in reality and does not exploit the characters, it simply shows teenagers over the period of literally half a day and the events that unravel for each of them. It does not sensationalise the events or depict them in scenes for point alone of enjoyment. It does not become biased towards the characters and shows them as they are. It doesn't focus on one particular character and beg you for your sympathy, everyone gets shown in an equal amount and you are aloud to make up your own mind.

It is confrontational cinema at it's finest. For every 10 films that show the artificial nature of childhood, there should be allowed room for 1 film that tells it as it is. I am the first to admit that this film will hit many nerves and a lot of people have and will dislike it for it's face against the window approach, but in all honest some people for this reason alone need to see it.

[sound world]

I'm intrigued...with my son fast approaching teenage years...

[blue]

I'll have to look out for this. Personally I agree with you Daniel, I think there should be a good dose of truth to counteract the daily bombardment of lies about adolescence, and life in general. Kids need to know that what's happening to them is the norm, not some kind of personal failure on their part.

And suicide among teenagers is an issue that very much NEEDS to be talked about, because it's a devastating fact. My daughter was part of a big group of close friends as a teenager; when one of them committed suicide it was terrifying to watch the effect of that travelling around the circle, I know I wasn't the only parent who feared there might be a second or third suicide within the group. It was a dreadful time for those kids, and for us as parents the feeling of helplessness was frightening.

Nobody talks about this stuff, and that is so wrong.