Blessed (2009)

Confronting. Great acting. Convincing and, no, not for everyone but a good eye opener on what is happening in parts of Australian society.

Probably not as movie for everyone.Really emphasises the dramtic nature of an actors craft.A good lesson in not how to treat your kids and the poisonious nature of alcohol and the club pokie scene.

Another bleak drama from Australian film makers. The acting is quite good, but it loses its way at times.

This film left me emotional for days, kept me totally involved, made me angry, and made me question society. All people should watch this to bring a reality and humility into your life. If I could rate this higher I would. Yes it's dark and depressing but it must be watched.

Could not watch this one, over the top Australian drama

didnt enjoy it. the movie was all over the place.

S-L-O-W ......avoid it if you can

Very emotional story, great acting worth watching (should be more Australian movies)

Wow, this was quite a hard hitting movie about several different disadvantaged youths and their families set in typical working class environments in Australia. I enjoyed all the actors/actresses from the young to the old and commend the producer on the choice of them, they were a stellar cast :)

Watched this late last night - very moving. Wonderful performances from some great Australians. Not an easy film to watch but beautifully written and performed - well done.

This is one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen. It is a movie on the link between mothers and children and it is deeply moving. It stayed with me, especially the last minute of the movie, which is incredibly beautiful and painful.

Agood movie and well done. The story was perhaps a little dark for my present consumption. I wanted to be entertained, not hot over the head with more social commentary. Otherwise, a good movie.

Gosh, hard to describe this Australian drama - the acting is excellent but is very challenging and may well offend with one particular scene that is hard to watch. My husband described this film as depressing and yes, it feels that way initially but you become riveted by the children's/teens' stories and those of their mothers. Not easy to watch but ultimately very thought provoking and a sad insight into families who struggle with poverty, alcoholism, gambling and other tragic situations.

I found this movie really disturbing as it probably quite close to the truth. What becomes of young people when we don't look after them and raise them with love at home.

Another great film showcasing Australian talent. Raw, confronting and beautifully presented.

Takes a bit of getting going but the ending is amazing. It's great to see Australia still makes thoughtful films like this.

A brilliantly written, acted and filmed movie, but depressingly sad. A definite must see

Sad, sad, sad, with a small glimmer of hope. Powerful movie, acted brilliantly by everyone, with well crafted, realistic story-lines. Excellent in every way.

WOW - what a fantastic job all the cast members did - keep your tissues handy. Great Aussie drama

Slow to start but then the interest and tension builds up. Very emotional ending.

Can't believe this film has gone by unnoticed by film buffs.I thought it was so typical of the high quality we expect from Australian drama today.Our actors remain on the stage that is why their acting is so natural and unnforced and the dramas are written with authenticity and avoid the sensationalism of American counterparts.

gritty, slow, depressing piece of oz cine introspection, but worth hanging in till the bitter end

Excellent film - Great acting - I wasn't sure where each character was going to end up until the very end. Not a fun film, but certainly one that makes you think. Well done to all involved with the film -

I didn't enjoy the movie, nor would recommend it.

Ana Kokkinos is a courageous, powerful film director, one of my favorites, in fact, and this film did not disappoint. A truly powerful Australian film.

Another movie about damaged people that wallows in its own misery. Well done but predictable and stylistically reminiscent of those recent movies where the seperate stories merge towards the end. 3.5 stars

Kept stopping. Didn't watch it the rest.

Very good film. But it would be nice to see an Australian film that is not depressing.

So sad, makes you wonder what DOCS are doing

Definitely worth watching especially if you like movies with a realistic portrayal of the world. Maybe too real at moments but not graphic.

An odd movie

Wonderfull acting by the teenage actors. A complex story that plays out in many places of the world. Not to be missed.

Excellent film. Starts off a bit shaky but soon develops into a powerful drama about some wayward youths living a type of existence in suburban Melbourne. Congratulations to director/producer Ana Kokkinos, she should be very proud of this effort. She encourages great acting from her cast, all giving top performances. A must see film but beware of absolute reality situations

Really enjoyed the movie. Emotional storyline, worth watching.

I can see why some people would find this movie depressing, but it was a very powerful film that I thought accurately portrayed the complexity involved in motherhood while struggling to make ends meet and generally going it alone. It's a sad story, but it shows the enduring love of parents and that underneath their inadequacies, they just want the best for their children. Definitely worth a watch.

Black but very very good - great cast

Blessed is an emotional, devastating and ultimately uplifting film. The contrast of children's and mothers' experiences is a great insight into 'how the other half lives' and I found myself identifying with both. The actresses playing the mothers all give commanding performances, especially Frances O'Connor. It's difficult to think of another film with so many great roles for women. This is definitely an example of art-house drama that Australian films are known for, but the performances are breathtaking and the final message of the film is ultimately redemptive.

Dark. Very Dark.

Wonderful film. At the conclusion of part one "the children", I was unsure where the film was going. But part two "the mothers" brought all the narrative strands together wonderfully. The film was nothing less than superb.

This was to be honest a difficult movie to watch and I'm not sure that I'd be up to watching it again on DVD. Just when you thought that it couldn't slap it's audience up the side of the head anymore it did.

Raw, real and rewarding!

A brilliant movie - emotionally confronting, at times maybe a tiny little bit sterotyped, but overall very powerful and highly recommended (but not if you're a mother feeling fragile!)