Delusional: A Love Story.

The cutesy title "Puppy" is a red herring. Anyone thinking that they are in for some sort of delightful Disney-esque ride about little doggies running about and acting adorable are in for one hell of a surprise. "Puppy" is about delusion, self-inflicted and otherwise, which allows people to connect, disjoin and survive in the world.

Basically a two character piece, the film finds a suicidal, aimless young women and a schizophrenic young man forging a relationship that is quite unusual. It begins when the man, a wrecker driver, saves the woman and then takes her to his house as a captive. Generally in such films, when a person is being held against their will by someone other than a professional mafioso type, we find it hard to believe that they can't escape. But this film is very well written and very smart and ultimately we believe that the woman has no real option for escape as she is far out in a rural area and has no car, no phone and no idea where she is.

The film has a few disgusting moments, particularly when a couple of dogs are killed during the plot twists of the film but this is done more fro storytelling then for revulsion. There is some nudity and sexuality but it is handled tastefully and there was no tittering or unintentional laughter at the screening I attended at SXSW in March of 2006.

Shot on film, the piece is really lovely to look at with some gorgeous views of mountains and rural scenery. The score is excellent, featuring many wonderful indie Australian vocalists. There are a few cool special effects to heighten the tension and the feeling of delusion in the film.

"Puppy" is a interesting and well written film and a love story unlike any other we have seen on the screen.

Notes:

Filmed primarily in Victoria.

Viewed at SXSW (on HD video) in March of 2006 with the filmmakers in attendance. They told us that the film was financed with independent money which is highly unusual for Australian films.

Report Card

Script: A-

Acting: A

Cinematography\Lighting: A+

Special Effects\Make Up: A-

Music: A+

Final Grade: A