X (2011)

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

I watched this film with a view to seeing two actresses work together in a project different from that which I had already enjoyed. Viva Bianca and Hannah Mangan-Lawrence gave great performances, and I enjoyed the depth they gave their characters, which I'm sure had little to do with the writing.This film is one reaction after another, the poor girls never had a chance to collect themselves and make an impact on the story, they were just caught up in an unravelling mess of a situation.There was one occasion when the girls seemed ahead of the curve, but that quickly turned into a fist fight that only gave them something else to react to rather than thickening the plot.I know that reactive stories are not something I like, it was the same problem I had with The Incredible Hulk. And yet I don't feel I can knock the film for it because the tag-line states that this film is about 2 women and 1 bad night. And that it is.

X paints itself off, as something better that it is. I must admit, I was disappointed some, in this. After lasting one week on the cinema circuit in Adelaide, it's easy to see why. It's just a weak drama. It does has a tragic end though for one of it's characters, who I never thought would bite the bullet. Here's the plot of the movie, mostly set over one night in that lurid sewer, King's Cross. An upper class call girl (they all are- Viva Bianca) who caters to some quite elite sorts, is getting out of the business and Sydney. Her and this guy, do a real sexy R rated strip dance, before a group of middle aged, refined sorts (what weirdos). It's quite amusing in bits too. Bianca hasn't told her client/boyfriend.... wait for it.... cop (Peter Docker) yet, she's getting out. Of course. But feeling guilty and obligated, she does, over dinner, at the advice of her tranny friend. Not a good idea. Now more characters come into play, one another pro friend of Bianca's who dies in a showering freak accident, you could say. Fresh off the bus, in King's Cross, is a seventeen year old runaway (Hanna Mangan Lawrence). She's befriended by an even younger street smart girl, a sly little devil, who gives her some pointers about the seedy cross streets. In the hours that ensue, she's beaten up and robbed, for intruding on other pro's turf. She causes a vehiclist, a scummy looking client, while induced in a bit of role playing, being fondled by Hanna's stroking, loving hand, to go arse up another car of three tall hoons. They are not happy chappies. Luck comes her way in the form of Bianca, who throws her an offer that turns out to be a fatal acceptance, where later on, it becomes hell night. Watching Lawrence boozed up, and nude, doing some drunken dancing for a client, a 20's Lebanese guy, she shares with Bianca, was one of the better rewards of the film. There were small moments of hotness there. Only the two, are witness to this Leb's murder, by some hit men, where now they're both pursued, and are soon split up again. Mostly to blame here is the selfish Bianca. Lawrence returns to the Cross and holds out in a run down junkie motel, where she gets to hang out with some lowlife types. Oh I forgot to mention, she's befriended by a taxi driver, who slowly tries to coax her into a relationship. I mean this guy, also seen in Careless love, would have to be 28+. She tells him "It wouldn't work out. Everyone I get close to, gets hurt". Puzzle that over. Gentleman that he is, he does shout her a delicious chilli dog and coke from Cafe de Wheel's. The movie gets more intense near the end. This movie is very predictable, as it's stereotypical of so many other movies. One could say it's old hat. Had X been made twenty five years before, when it should of, it would of come out with much more dignity. As such, now, it just comes off as a wishy washy, forgettable drama, despite a great performance from Bianca, and the sexy presence of Mangan Lawrence. The last scene though, stays with me, between the cabbie and Lawrence, when looking out over the ocean. It's Lawrence's last line, a chilling admittance, that does make sense, when you ponder the history of so many runaways from broken homes. The actress who plays the trannie, who so reminds me of the woman from The Jammed, co wrote this, not the only star featured here, from the much better Redball.

Guys, seriously don't bother. The acting is not amazing, (except for Viva Bianca who probably the only thing that made this whole movie worthwhile) you don't understand why the characters behave the way they do. The storyline is blotchy, many things remain unexplained. SUPER unrealistic. The concept and the story seems great at first but too many of the pieces don't stick together. They manage to keep you interested and hooked because you're hoping somehow everything will fit into order eventually. NOT. The 2 out of those 3/10 is for the exquisite nudity of the actresses,but for the rest it's not worth it. BOTTOM LINE: If you enjoy being incredibly frustrated then go ahead and grab yourself some popcorn and get ready for this ride.

This movie is just perfect in it's own imperfect way, which I did not expect it to be... The ending, or at least almost-ending, that is the 2 minutes before the actual last 2 minutes could have been thought out better, but it's not enough to draw down the grade, because everything leading up to that point was perfect... I gave it a 10, judged from the experience I had watching it only... I only hope to see Viva Bianca again in similar strong role ... I had never heard of her before, but had to look her up, and was really surprised to see that she did not have any other real lead roles like this one... she should have ... I'm now a fan, strong women that reallyt stands out, but still emotionally touchy, and sexy as hell + authentic all the way = win, win! Just wow! - Helio