The Year My Voice Broke (1988)

I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

A Major Disappointment

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

Coming of age films aren't exactly new to cinema. It's a subject that has been revisited in every generation, ever since James Dean helped Hollywood discover a new species – the teenager.Although 1955's "Rebel Without a Cause" probably wasn't top-of-mind when John Duigan made "The Year My Voice Broke" in 1987, the alienation, emotional confusion and search for identity felt by many teenagers provides a common theme even if separated by three decades, different stories and different continents.With its nostalgic narration, slow pans of the landscape and soaring strings on the soundtrack, "The Year My Voice Broke" could have been cloying; instead it is captivating. It gets you in and keeps you there thanks to inspired casting, an unusual setting, and a seductive mood – thanks in no small part to those soaring strings.The story revolves around three teenagers living in an Australian country town in 1962, Danny Embling, Freya Olsen and Trevor Leishman, played by Noah Taylor, Leone Carmen and Ben Mendleson.Danny narrates the story. He is in love with Freya, a girl who has lived her whole life in the town, but is treated as an outsider by many of the townspeople. Freya sees Danny as a friend, but has stronger feelings for the rebellious Trevor. Eventually Trevor gets into trouble with the law – and also gets Freya into trouble – a tough situation for a girl in a country town in 1962. Danny discovers the reason why Freya is treated as an outsider, and Trevor's wildness and criminal tendencies cause tragedy. Freya departs never to return, leaving Danny with memories of a love that was never returned.This poignant film shows Duigan's understanding of his teenage characters; their lack of sophistication, their loyalties, the conflicts with their peers, and the pressures they face in a small town.However, the film really hangs on Leone Carmen's performance. Nicole Kidman was considered for the role but Leone Carmen was chosen. While Nicole Kidman is the epitome of a movie star, Leone Carmen projects an almost opposite quality. Attractive, but with not so perfect teeth and hair she is refreshingly natural; almost too real, she gives life to the role of the tomboy developing into a woman who does not quite fit in.Noah Taylor shines as the awkward 15-year old who knows that he will never win the girl he is obsessed with; he looks unhappy in just about every scene and we feel his pain. Ben Mendelsohn's Trevor, the catalyst for much of the action, is an unappealing youth with a reckless streak. Freya is drawn to Trevor's sense of danger. But Mendelsohn overdoes Trevor's mannerism, especially the affected laugh – less would have delivered more as it does in his calmer scenes.Vaughan Williams' "The Lark Ascending" is one of the most emotive pieces of music ever composed. Originally written for the concert hall, it was an inspired choice for the film – it's really Danny's theme, capturing his anguish and, as the music swells and soars, his eventual acceptance of things he can't control.This movie has a unique quality. Where it could have been overly sentimental, it projects honesty instead. Like all movies that really matter, it stays with you.

Australian screenwriter, producer and director John Duigan's eight feature film which he wrote, is loosely based on his own experiences and is the first part of a planned trilogy which was succeeded by "Flirting" (1991). It premiered in Australia, was shot on location in Braidwood and on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales in Australia and is an Australian production which was produced by producers Doug Mitchell, George Miller and Terry Hayes. It tells the story about an adolescent student named Danny Embling who lives in a small town at a hotel which is managed by his father and mother. Danny spends most of his time with his friend named Freya who lives with her adoptive parents and her stepsister named Gail and is seriously infatuated with her, but when Freya is introduced to the local rebel named Trevor Leishman he has to find new ways to gain her affection.Subtly and acutely directed by Australian filmmaker John Duigan, this finely tuned fictional tale which is narrated by one of the main characters and from multiple viewpoints, draws a memorable portrayal of a pivotal year in the lives of three Australian misfits who are connected by their alienation. While notable for it's naturalistic and distinct milieu depictions, sterling cinematography by Australian cinematographer Geoff Burton and production design and costume design by production designer and costume designer Roger Ford, this narrative-driven, conversational and dramatic story which examines themes like identity, friendship and the rites of passage and where a girl is drawn towards the Australian landscape and an amorous boy begins studying hypnotism, depicts three dense and interrelated studies of character and contains a great and timely score by composer Christine Woodruff.This literary, romantic and atmospheric coming-of-age film from the late 1980s which is set during a summer in the early 1960s in a country town in the Tablelands of New South Wales in Australian and where a triangle drama arises between a musician, an orphan and a wild football player, is impelled and reinforced by it's cogent narrative structure, substantial character development, subtle continuity, endearing characters, spiritual undertones and the wonderful acting performances by Australian actors Noah Tylor, Ben Mendelsohn and Australian actresses Loene Carmen and Lynnette Curran. A rejuvenating, admirable and majestic drama from the later period of the Australian New Wave which gained, among other awards, the AFI Award for Best Film, Best Direction John Duigan and Best Supporting Actor Ben Mendelsohn at the 29th Australian Film Institute Awards in 1987.

The Year My Voice Broke is basically about three young kids growing up in a small, desolate town in Australia during the 1960s. The main character and narrator is Danny. His childhood friend is Frey, who also happens to be his first real love, although she doesn't know exactly how much he loves her--at least not at first. So to speak, Frey is like the only girl who he trusts and who he understands. But, Frey loves the reckless outlaw, Trevor. The movie reminds me a lot of the 1986 movie, Lucas, which starred a very young Corey Haim. Danny is like Lucas in that he is in love with his childhood friend, the only girl who seems to understand and appreciate him. Freya compares to Maggie because she finds herself falling in love with another. And Trevor is like Cappie. But 'The Year My Voice Broke' deals with much more adult situations than simply being a matter of 'puppy love,' and thus some of the results are tragic. Nonetheless, it is a movie worth seeing.

This film is a genuine and moving portrayal of growing up in Australia. On some level, the film makes the mundane haunting and beautiful. For people wanting to see the 'real' Australia, rather than the Crocodile Dundee myths, this movie is a classic.Definitely a film for the sentimental thinker. Like most Australian movies, it lacks the big-budget shoot em up special effect American style. It is more laid back, and lets the characters tell their stories. It made quite an impression in Australia when released, but was less successful overseas.The sequel of this movie, "Flirting", starred Nicole Kidman and Thandie Newton, who played a cameo in "Interview with the Vampire" opposite Tom Cruise.