2:37 (also known as
Two Thirty
7) is a
Australian drama film, written,
produced, and directed by filmmaker
Murali K. Thalluri and starring an ensemble cast
including
Joel Mackenzie,
Teresa Palmer,
Frank
Sweet,
Gary Sweet, and
Clementine Mellor.
2:37 was
filmed in Adelaide
, Australia on location at St. Ignatius'
College.
2:37 had its world premiere at
Cannes and its North American
premiere at the
Toronto International
Film Festival. It was released in Australia on 17 August
2006.
Plot
A contemporary, ensemble drama telling the complex tale of six high
school students whose lives are interwoven with situations that so
many of today's youth are faced with. Each of the six students have
their own personal problems and goals.
The story takes place during a normal school day. At precisely 2:37
a tragic
suicide will occur, affecting the
lives of a group of students and their teachers. As the story
unfolds, the individual stories of the six teenagers are revealed,
each with their own personal significance. This eventually leads up
to one of the characters taking their own life. An unwanted
pregnancy unravels a terrible, dark secret; all is not as it
appears for the seemingly confident school football hero; an
outcast must deal with everyday taunts from his peers; a beautiful
young girl battles an eating disorder; a stellar student constantly
struggles to win his parents' approval; while another uses drugs to
escape from his own demons.
Cast
Reaction
The film has encountered early commercial success, generating more
than three times its production costs in distribution sales.
Another
early victory for the film was a 17 minute standing ovation at the
Cannes Film
Festival
.
Critics and audiences have been divided in their reaction,
particularly regarding the graphic
teenage suicide scene at the end of the
film. Some
mental health groups have
described the film as "dangerous" , with concerns that it will lead
to
copycat suicides.
Variety's Justin Chang has described it
as "A queasy exploitation picture masquerading as a serious
dramatic treatment of teen suicide". Preview screenings have
reportedly led to some audience members walking out or fainting in
response to the graphic
rape and suicide
scenes. Other critics have claimed that the film is too similar to
Gus Van Sant's
2003 film
Elephant.
However, some critics have praised the movie. Urban Cinefile calls
it "a stunning debut" for Thalluri, who made the film at the age of
20.
The Age's Tracee Hutchison has described
the film as "beautiful", saying that it "should be screened to year
11 and 12 students in every high school", although the film's R18+
rating in Australia
means that this cannot legally occur. The film's rating has been
very disappointing for Thalluri, who has been quoted as being
"gutted" that the intended audience of young teenagers will not
have the opportunity to view the film. Thalluri has stated that the
purpose of the suicide scene was to depict the suffering and regret
of the suicide victim, and to dispel any implication that the act
of suicide is easy or simple.
Further controversy has arisen around Thalluri's claims that the
movie was written about a teenage friend who sent him a video
suicide note before taking her life.
Investigations by
The Australian
questioned the existence of Thalluri's friend, as well as other
statements he has made about events in his own life which led to
the film's creation. However, his cousin Ann has publicly defended
his story and Thalluri himself called the claims "offensive",
"rude" and "ridiculous".
Festivals
Awards
Nominated:
References
- Choose life Sydney Morning Herald. 11
August 2006.
- Graphic movie suicide "a risk" The
Age. 26 July 2006.
- 2:37 Review Variety. 26 May 2006.
- Thalluri's 2:37 'too much like Elephant'
Ninemsn. 28 May 2006.
- 2:37 Urban Cinefile.
- R rating shackles, not protects, teenagers
The Age. 29 July 2006.
- On and up for philanthropic director
Ninemsn. 31 July 2006.
- A violent change of direction The Sydney
Morning Herald. 26 August-27, 2006.
- Director's suicide claim 'fiction' The
Australian. 19 August 2006.
- A letter of support The Adelaide
Advertiser. 24 August 2006.
- A violent change of direction The Sydney
Morning Herald. 26-27 August 2006.
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