Alexandra's Project (2003)
Adult themes, high level sex scenes, medium level coarse language
| Director: | Rolf de Heer |
| Actors: | Gary Sweet, Helen Buday, Bogdan Koca |
Steve (Gary Sweet) is a middle-management office worker in an Australian city. He's an ordinary bloke, happily going through the motions of family life as husband to wife Alexandra (Helen Buday) and father to their two children, Emma and Sam. It's Steve's birthday, an especially happy day as Steve receives a much sought after promotion. With good news to share at home, Steve leaves work and heads home, in anticipation of a surprise party he suspects Alexandra has organised.
But when he returns home, all is deathly quiet in their suburban townhouse. After searching the darkened house for party guests Steve finds nothing, except a video tape labelled 'Play Me'. It is a recording made by Alexandra and their children wishing him a happy birthday.
Once the children leave the television screen, Alexandra begins to give Steve the most surprising present of all... an alluring striptease. Steve thinks all his birthdays have come at once... until, on the video, he sees a gun pointed at Alexandra’s head. In a panic, he races for the phone but discovers there’s no connection. He tries to leave the townhouse only to find that his keys no longer fit the locks and the security shutters on the windows are locked tight. Remembering his mobile phone, Steve finds that the battery has been replaced by a bullet.
Alone, frightened and imprisoned in his own house, Steve has no choice but to watch the rest of the video tape...
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 103mins |
| Origin: | AUSTRALIA |
| Aspect Ratio: | 2.35:1 16:9 Enhanced |
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Member Reviews (97)
97 Member
Reviews
NOT PLEASANT
says
Not completely believable, especially the character of Alexandra (a wife), on the one hand she complains that she has no power and is such a "helpless housewife" and on the other hand she has "her business" on side, i.e. is very "enterpraneurial" and promiscuous, I would say, so the story seems inherently inconsistent...
Only for lovers of suspense, over all rather unpleasant film. You have been warned!
Cindy
says
It's not believable for a second, but gee, it's enthralling all the same.
alistair c
says
Hmmm, yep OK, as a guy I do get the message. Although fortunately my partner gave me a much milder wake up call as, like most guys when it comes to intimate matters, we are a tad self centred. But, as a few reviewers have noted, this lady character has serious mental issues and a total failure to communicate. It was quite a thought provoking movie and not a bad idea, but went way over the top into dark unreality. Spoilt the impact a bit. Would have made a lot more sense for the female character to have run off with a female partner.
Bavin
says
This is certainly a movie unlike any other. A seemingly normal suburban household descends into emotional chaos as Steve's (Gary Sweet) birthday turns sour. The wife (Helen Buday) exacts revenge for years of poor treatment by her husband. Tension builds as Steve's life crumbles around him, with excellent performances by the two leads. It takes a while to build, but delivered a disturbing thought-provoking film. However, it was a bit too pessimistic for my liking.
RA
says
The movie kept me watching - only in the hope that it would redeem itself. It didn't. This is a gratuitous movie reflecting someone's deviant fantasy.
Rita K.
says
The ultimate castration fantasy. Made me reasses my relationship that's for sure. This film should be shown on commercial TV every night to awaken the mainstream!!
Elspeth N.
says
Very bleak. Very well done and quite enthralling, but you won't feel 'uplifted' or anything. Dark, bleakly humourous at times but disturbing and difficult.
David M.
says
An improbable tale of revenge and humiliation made watchable only by some good acting.
Kim W.
says
Excellent, riveting movie. Great performances, and a story line that is not predictable.
Barbara C.
says
I loved watching (Steve) aka Gary Sweet squirm - clever girl Alexandra; you really got him didn't you.
Jan K.
says
I found this intriguing from the start - it is very, very good. Certainly not a happy, uplifting movie by any means, but very surprising. Very different and thought provoking. It is suspenseful and does apppear a little too drawn out in places, but then that direction is purposeful in that it makes the drama even more potent . I found the opening scene very good - it dragged out and kept you wondering what on earth it was leading up to. Certainly not a movie for anyone under 16 - the theme is very dark and, well ... just not suitable for young ones. I was expecting something more sinister than actually did occur - however what did occur was sufficient to make the whole thing somewhat uncomfortable to watch, but with such a powerful pull that you simply could not look away.
Anthony R.
says
An interesting idea.......not a film for the faint hearted. Like flypaper, though. Once you get through the first portentous 15 minutes, you're stuck there trying to guess where it will go next, then...suddenly the credits roll.
Lynette M.
says
Even though i'm not really much of a Gary Sweet fan, credit where credit's due. He did a GREAT job on this one!!, (as I watched, was thinking he must have drawn a lot from his OWN life experience).
The woman playing Alexandra was extroadinary. Never heard of her before, but will look out for her in other movies.
Ian G.
says
Good movie about what may go on inside someone's head when a marriage goes awry.
girlster
says
As many other reviewers have already stated, this certainly is a thought provoking film, especially for males. Great performances by the 2 main actors. Fairly confronting stuff, but ensures your attention right up until the end. Probably the best Aussie film I've seen for a while!
Kendal F.
says
It was quite interesting and well acted. The script could have been tighter as some scenes had too many holes (in a movie sense) detracting from the storyline.
Robert S.
says
Very well done but a horrible portrait of a family. Why were these two together in the first place? He obviously never talks with his wife (or listens to her) and/or she never tells her hubby what she's feeling or they would never have got into this mess.
Rosa F.
says
Fantastic Movie!!
Nicole B.
says
A somewhat harrowing but heartfelt psychological thriller...suspense balanced with dark humour keeps us guessing and watching. Typically intense De Heer film uses interiors to amplify the emotive ambience and surreality of suburban secrets. Excellent performances from the 2 lead actors.
Robert H.
says
Very well acted by Gary Sweet and Helen Buday. I don't think I'll recommend it to the missus though! It might give her ideas! The ending though was a bit abrupt and would have liked ot have seen what eventuated, Possibly room for a sequel?
Robert H.
says
Very well acted by Gary Sweet and Helen Buday. I don't think I'll recommend it to the missus though! It might give her ideas! The ending though was a bit abrupt and would have liked ot have seen what eventuated, Possibly room for a sequel?
Susan R.
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Vin B.
says
very different but worth a watch
Kevin C.
says
I expected more from the show.. disappointing..
Pauline W.
says
where did thi come from sick
Chris S.
says
It was a slow start to a boring film...what a tragic story and very bad script!
It was only JUST passable as a watchable or even believable film.
I personally did not like this film - but I'm sure there are many that would find it ok...
Patricia M.
says
Pretty horrible people - not sure I wanted to waste 2 hours of my life on them.
James H.
says
Warped storyline where about one hour of the movie consists of a mentally deranged woman taking to a video camera.
Peter B.
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Heide E.
says
Suspense with a difference. Most unusual story, well acted and presented.
Kat S.
says
I thought this was an interesting film and very well acted. Worth watching definitely.
David P.
says
Had to watch this film to the end to see if it improved but what a waste of time! There really is no redeeming feature to this load of rubbish.
Friederike E.
says
weird
Mollie J.
says
This film was clever but
horrible. Two thick-skinned
characters too unaware of
each other. Not my cup of
tea.
Keryn B.
says
great acting, keeps you interested, moves quickly.
Peter A.
says
A great Australian psychological thriller.
Liz L.
says
Was OK but not all that good. Clever idea but could have been done better. One of the few I haven't really liked. I think Gary Sweet also is better than this movie.
Alex P.
says
This movie is not for everyone, it really has a lot of holes in it, very hard to justify the main storyline, it’s missing the mark on some levels. However, still truly worth watching, it will shock and really make you think, not an empty film by any means.
apple.curry
says
it makes you want to keep watching to find out what happens but i turned it off after the horrible swearing, wouldn't recommend anyone under 18 watching this, or anyone like me who doesn't enjoy unnecesary swearing
James W.
says
I watched this a couple of times, the first time I just hated the character Alexandra, but you can empathize with her. The situation she has found herself in really has made her lose her mind, and maybe this is her only way out, and her only way to transfer power. Gary Sweet's Character Steve isn't at all a bad guy though, and in no way is this justice. The beauty of this film is how etxreme and yet how believable the characters are.
Audrey C.
says
Confronting.
Heather H.
says
This has to be one of the worst movies I've seen. It's actually painful to watch. The wife in it is truly a horrible person, and even though the husband isn't particularly likeable either, you do feel sorry for him having ended up with such a witch of a wife.
Bridget J.
says
The idea was good and the acting was excellent but get a baby sitter for this one. It wasn't what I thought it would be.
Peter H.
says
Took some time to get started but when it did it was enthralling!
Peter R.
says
and a half. I thought this was an excellently paced film - the beginning slow, light but menacing and gradually landing some excellent male ego blows. The area where I thought this film didn't do so well was the ending (trying not to give anything away).
Lynda W.
says
I didn't enjoy this movie
Stephen A.
says
What a great Australian movie if you are into this type of movie. Very strong performances by the limited cast.
Michael C.
says
An unfortunate failure of the Australian Film industry. Wouldn't recommend it for ages under 45...
Cathy N.
says
What a bizarre movie!!!
Peter H.
says
A good locally made drama that builds to an unexpected twist at the end.
Marcus R.
says
married men beware!! this one will make you very nervous!!
MJ
says
This was a bit slow moving, but thought-provoking. Not easy to really empathize with any of the characters, but the premise is interesting. OK if you're not just looking for entertainment.
Robert H.
says
Sexy but not smutty.
Margaret F.
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Cheryl L.
says
Thought this was dreadful. Moved very slow and was quite bizarre!
Bradley Olsen
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Daisyfish
says
Interesting movie, at least somewhat original. But a bit like a trainwreck you can't help but watch. I would hardly say it is enjoyable, but it definitely shares a mindboggling perspective on the old addage "love hath no fury like a woman scorned!".
Scott Garnett
says
A bizarre film that explores relationships. A few plot holes, but at the same time good to see an Australian "thriller". Great performances, and quite a confronting film if you can forgive a few of the plot holes.
Joanne Sykes
says
Very intense performances. Gary Sweet as you have never seen him before!!!
Gerald Housden
says
says
Brian Graham
says
One of the most creative and rivetting movies we have seen. Excellent story line, great acting from one character for almost the entire movie. Top marks!
Craig Hill
says
An impactful movie illustrating the lengths a woman scorned will go to to exact revenge.
Helene Carozzi
says
Good psychological thriller, well acted and cleverly plotted.
Elaine Burgess
says
Elaine Burgess
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Peter Champion
says
Very thought provoking - make sure you look at the extras and interviews
Ron Dick
says
Very confronting...not your average project.
Glenn Rowley
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Catherine Wright
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Gregg Kennedy
says
A real warning to couples that relationships should not be taken for granted.
Kristi Barrow
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Diana Kincaid
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Denis Thomas
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Naidene Parry
says
Did not enjoy this at all, would not recommend it.
Michael O'brien
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Rose Pater
says
Very atmospheric and full of tense anticapation.
Darko Hizar
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Tim Mcmahon
says
Awful!
Saty Sandhu
says
Quite a disturbing movie once it gets your attention. Worth watching.
Cara Hansen
says
Steven Mccosker
says
A Bloke
says
This is a very unusual and original film, about what happens when your missus goes loopy on you. Well worth it.
Michael Harrison
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Cathy Bristow-Baohm
says
A very different film, good to see Aussie drama.
Colin Riches
says
An undiscovered Aussie suburban thriller like nothing you've seen before and highly recommended if you're after something different with impact .
Sheona Thomson
says
An unusual and compelling film. Buday is great in a tough role. An atmosphere of alienation and claustrophobia is created out of the familiar world of the home.
Rebecca Gorman
says
Slow to start, and a little disturbing, but had to keep watching till the end.
Christine Armour
says
Thought provoking and watch out for the cucmbers when next shopping
J Summers
says
It stayed with me for days!
Rebecca Gorman
says
Slow to start, but gets you in!
Lee Bagnell
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Janet Tweedie
says
Not for the faint hearted, Alexandra's Project is a very very good movie but certainly not one that will bring joy to your day! A movie to watch alone or with a girlfriend. Men, don't bother unless you're into self-punishment in a big way. Great acting, excellent direction, keeps you on the edge of your seat. Definately deserves the MA rating though so not one for the under 16's.
Christine Zander
says
This movie changes tactics so much within the storyline of the movie you dare not leave the room. At first it drags, ever so slowly, drawing you into the simple life of a family and then whammy over and over .It leaves you questioning what next????
Evie Krause
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C Day
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Blake
says
What a strange movie! Not particularly good but you can't turn it off because you want to see what will happen next.