Review - Wasted on the Young

File this one under Films I should have already seen.

Wasted on the Young is yet another criminally ignored but totally outstanding Australian film.

Written and directed by first timer Ben C. Lucas it tells the story of the ruling class in the last year of high school, the king of the high school and a party that turns nasty and the ramifications of the actions taken.

In this world, there are no parents seen, no teachers, no authority - just the kids ruling themselves, kind of like the Lord of the Flies if it were written by Bret Easton Ellis. These kids are privileged, some born into it, some forced into it and with the privlege comes the expectation that they are untouchable.

Two of things I really liked about the film - the use of the text messages appearing on screen, whenever a message is typed or sent it appears on screen and the distorted soundtrack and nigthmarish images that Lucas invokes. It gives the film more of a surreal feel, which to be honest suits the story perfectly.

The three main actors are all excellent Alex Russell is menacing as the school king Zack, Oliver Ackland really puts his heart into Darren, the genius and probably the only relatively moral person in the film, whilst Adelaide Clemens is outstanding as Xandrie, her emotional scenes carry weight and she pulls it off beautifully.

Wasted on the Young is not entirely perfect with the plot not being crystal clear and the writing a touch off but all in this is just as good as anything any other country in the world is producing and it is time for the Australian public (including myself) to really start supporting these gems at the cinema!