Maslin Beach (1997)

A Brilliant Conflict

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.

I have seen Maslin Beach a couple of times - both on free to air TV in Brisbane. I won't go into whether it is good, bad or otherwise as others have well and truly covered this.I will say that it is so Australian. Only in Australia can we have a film about relationships among people spending the day as naked as the day they were born, and to view it on free commercial television.I have a friend from the US who is constantly amazed at what we put on our free TV compared to her home country. Sex and the CIty and Huff are just too examples.Despite our Government trying to turn us into the 51st US State, it is good to know at least some things remain truly Aussie

Maslin Beach is a charming stretch of sand below cliffs of ochre and limestone. Gentle waves lap the shore and the sky above a blue-domed ceiling. This is one of South Australia's nudist beaches set apart for those who like to swim and frolic in the raw. As expected there is full frontal nudity of both sexes which comes as a bit of a shock at first because we rarely see such candid photography on our evening TV screens. We quickly adjust however because we soon realise the characters on the screen are just ordinary people like ourselves, some fat, some skinny and not at all like the athletic types portrayed in "Bay Watch" which give one such an inferiority complex. Consequently we feel comfortable about ourselves. If there is anything objectionable about the film, it is probably some of the language and crude expressions, but this is a public beach and all manner of people gather there seeking the freedom of sun and sea.The film represents one day at the beach but the scenes are obviously shot over a period because the lighting changes in a manner that does not make sense. Despite this the cameraman captures much of the beauty of the cove. Perhaps the cliffs could have been explored a little more. And I would like to have seen even more shots of people diving and frolicking in the clear blue water. As for the red sunset, you can take it from me, a South Australian, they can be truly magic.The acting was uneven among the supporting cast, but the leads particularly Simon and Marcie held the events of the day together. Simon and the ice-cream vendor were two good Aussie blokes with all the worries of the world on their shoulders. Gail, the girl who lost her grandmother's locket had a quiet charm about her which Simon appreciated.Summing up I think the producer took a great risk in choosing this particular subject with no guarantee that it would be accepted for public viewing on TV. When Maslin Beach was designated as a nudist beach, the idea was not popular with everybody and the idea became controversial. However, Maslin Beach has remained and on sunny days of which there are many, boys and girls come out to play.

If you are looking for the latest Hollywood blockbuster, don't watch this movie. If you are sick of the production line, "let's all make a movie like the last big thing" meat grinder, plastic, spoon fed dribble then this movie might just entertain you for 100 minutes. I'm not going to do the plot thing,Jox has already done that. What I would like to make note of is the refreshing "differentness" of the movie. I have seen nothing like this before. Overall the way the movie started looked like another B or C grade movie and by the time the main characters got to the beach it was like a totally new experience, refreshing and new with a distinctly Aussie feel to it, not one of the psuedo American wannabe pictures that most australians make.Having said this, I know this film won't appeal to everybody, but give it a try with an open mind, its different, innovative and doesn't pander to the norm. I hope Wayne Groom makes more movies, and that Bonnie - Jaye Lawrence continues to act, she is a refreshing change to the so called ideal woman that seems to be on all our screens at the moment, she is what I would describe as natural ... you don't see that much anymore.Just my 2 cents worth :)

Scary.. Yes Scary!! Jam-packed with nudity (from fat people to skinny people), Maslin Beach takes place on a nudist beach in S.A.I first saw this film two years ago - it's safe to say it made a bizarre topic of discussion at school the next day. This film was horrible! Hardly a romantic comedy - just a showcase of nudity! This movie hit its lowpoint with one of the new-age characters staring down between a girls legs. Girl: You're not going to find God in there! Guy: Nah, But I think I found heaven.Steer clear of this one, unless you want to hear amateur actors discuss topics such as farting, adultery and the process of superlguing one's genitals together. AVOID!