[image=left]http://www.alternativenation.net/gallery/files/1/somersault.jpg[/image]
Somersault is the story of Heidi, (
Abbie Cornish) a young Australian girl who makes the mistake of kissing her mother’s boyfriend. Cue instant melodrama, which leads to Heidi running off to an out of season ski-resort to continue to explore her fucked up sexuality.
Jumping from guy to guy, using sex as a way to feel some kind of affection from anyone, Heidi befriends Joe (
Sam Worthington)— an emotionally stunted local, and Irene (
Lynette Curran)—an oddly kind woman who rents her a flat. Somewhere between ignoring her phone calls and getting stoned, Joe finds the time to question his own sexuality while Heidi slowly spirals into destruction, drinking and fucking her way into other people’s lives. Irene, on the other hand, replaces her mother as a distant source of comfort.
The main appeal of the film to me was the absolutely stunning cinematography. Set in Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains, Australia, the scenes filmed around the lake are breathtaking to watch and the continual foggy, fresh and freezing atmosphere mirrors the emotional clouds surrounding each broken character.
The script leaves a little to be desired, but overall Somersault is an engaging and visually impressive film.
Thoroughly recommended - 8/10.
Somersault is out now on a limited release. Currently showing at the Cameo Cinema in Edinburgh, on a double bill with
Lantana. Rated 15.
http://www.somersault-film.de/ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0381429/ 
