Gone (2007/III)

Director:

Ringan Ledwidge

Writers:

James Watkins (written by) and
Andrew Upton (written by)

Release Date:

9 March 2007 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

The trip of a lifetime.

Plot:

A contemporary psychological thriller in which a young British couple travelling through the Australian...

Plot Keywords:

Beautiful Woman

Cast

Shaun Evans	...	Alex
Scott Mechlowicz	...	Taylor
Yvonne Strahovski	...	Sondra (as Yvonne Strzechowski)
Amelia Warner	...	Sophie
Victoria Thaine	...	Lena
Jessica Lemon	...	Teenage Cashier
Zoe Tuckwell-Smith	...	Ingrid

Also Known As:

Middle of Nowhere (UK) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, language and some sexual content.

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

UK | Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX

Certification:

Australia:M | South Korea:18

Filming Locations:

Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

The last motel that the 3 stayed at in the movie is located on Werna Street, Winton, Australia. The building has changed very slightly in appearance (as in 2008), the staircase that we see Sophie walk up and down is not there and a small new building is now situated where Taylor parked the van on arrival.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: At the start of the film, when Alex is on the bus, you can see filming equipment (a camera) in the reflection of the window. This is seen whilst the camera is looking side-on at Alex (just before he reads the Australian guide book).

Soundtrack:

IT'S ALL OVER

A commendable directorial debut from Ringan Ledwidge

Gone, despite the lame title, is an enjoyable film from first time director Ringan Ledwidge.

A very underplayed thriller revolving around the relationship between a backpacking British couple and a suspicious American, I found the film refreshing for managing to avoid the same traps that most films of this genre stumble with.

The catalyst of the film - the relationship between the two male leads - was handled delicately, full of nuance, and was almost Hitchcockian in its building of suspense.

As the events of the film are comparable to the recent Peter Falconio / Joanne Lees case, it would have been advisable to set the film elsewhere - especially since the vast expanse of the Australian outback has been seen too recently in films like John Hillcoat's 'The Proposition' and Phillip Noyce's 'Rabbit Proof Fence'. A possible alternative for the location of the film could have been New Zealand's South Island - picturesque, isolated, and just as popular with backpackers as Australia.

I was lucky enough to see a preview screening of the film, followed by a Q&A session with Ringan Ledwidge and Amelia Warner. Definitely one to watch, Warner could be a future English rose of the film industry (especially if she manages to avoid wearing orange lamé blouses in public!). Watch this space!

Elsewhere on this site, there is mention of the film being a rip-off of Dead Calm. Although I can see the similarities, Gone is a much more intriguing film. Although the two films deal with the same issues, I see Dead Calm as a popcorn film for the masses. Gone, on the other hand, is much more cerebral and perfect for an audience who appreciates attention to detail.

I would definitely recommend this film to friends.