Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

In some respects, John Duigan's fairytale has a lot in common with Hughes' 'The Breakfast Club', exposing the audience to the classically subversive nature of the true adolescent. Both films have the power to put viewers of all ages (once again) through the agony of young insecurity. Adults symbolize violence and corruption whilst teens form the embodiment of innocence and purity. We hence sympathize with them, not only because of their well-put comments, but also due to their ability to nostalgically move.The way in which 'Flirting' especially distinguishes itself from 'The Breakfast Club' is its far greater, dreamlike quality. Two private schools (one for boys and one for girls) sit on the opposite banks of a lake in New South Wales, Australia. At night, the misty lake is lit by a full moon, an occurrence which seems to put the film in another dimension. Especially later on, when the hero of the story is seen crossing the vast waters in a rowing boat.The year is 1965, and the strict policies of the schools prohibits nearly all contact between the sexes of the separate institutions. However, due to the extreme curiosity concerning sexuality and its subsequent hormonal antics, one early relationship manages to develop between the Australian Danny Embling (Noah Taylor) and Thandiwe Adjewa (Thandie Newton), who is born of a Ugandan father and a Kenyan-British mother. Their romantic fumbling ranges from readings of Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus to the discovery of each others cultures, and from the sharing of a first cigarette to the fulfillment of the youths' ultimate desire.When political turmoil starts tearing up her father's home country, including his political position, Thandiwe immediately feels the strong intention to be with him. She and Danny are eventually driven apart, but in the cool way, only achievable by adolescents.The cast of 'Flirting' is phenomenal. Noah Taylor ('Shine') and Thandie Newton ('Mission: Impossible II', 'Crash', this being her first acting job) already show incredible potential which, like most good, young actors, seems to entice the viewer on a far higher level than a lot of their later, 'adult' work. The supporting work by, among others, Nicole Kidman (at the age of 24) and a nearly unrecognizable Naomi Watts provide solid reasoners during the unfolding love story. The soundtrack conveys the intensely romantic feelings in a brilliant way, including works by Duke Ellington, Reg Presley and Little Richard. The fairytale feel of the movie is provided, as mentioned before, by the visual side of things. Geoff Burton's cinematography and Laurie Faen's art direction are of special note here, respectively contributing to the films - at times eerie, at times emotive - tone and its saccharin private school-backdrop.This is a brilliant little movie worth watching. Go ahead, you'll enjoy it.

Intelligently written piece that combines sub-genres of Coming of Age and inter-racial films.The plot is fairly straightforward and the message of the film is not deep. Nevertheless, it is an original film which is simply and cheaply made.The first strength of the film lies in the exquisite performances from great cast of the then unknown actors, 3 of whom have gone on to great performances in many other films (Taylor, Newton and Kidman).Secondly (assuming you are over 14 years old), the audience will have a strong feeling of resonation with the subject matter (growing up, alienation the school "norm", being allowed to behave differently etc). The fact that the film is by a British director about an Australian boarding school probably means that the film has a wider appeal to all anglo-saxon nations.Finally, the humour is understated but engaging.I loved this film on release. It has not lost any of its charm since, though you are slightly distracted by seeing well-known actors in their youth.

Despite fine performances by Nicole Kidman and Noah Taylor in particular, Thandie Newton is the standout star of this film. She is truly delightful; and anyone who has seen her since, and enjoyed her performances, ought to watch this movie because it demonstrates the range of her talents and how lovely she is.When one sees the "innocence" of a "star-in-the-making" like her performance in "Flirting," one hopes that she will display the same wonderful qualities throughout her career, and not become "Hollywood-ized." Hopefully some modicum of her beautiful innocence will remain, always.I have given this film a 9-star rating because of her!

I liked this movie a lot. I do not think that it is just for teens. The acting is very good. Noah Taylor does a very good job in this movie. He is a very good under rated actor. Thandie Newton is also very good in her role. Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts are good also.