That was an excellent one.

Overrated

A Major Disappointment

Excellent characters with emotional depth. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all enjoyed it...and me, too! Very good movie! You won't be disappointed.

It's worth mentioning to start that this is a Christian movie. Now, I'm a Christian - I have no problem with Christian movies. Some I like, some I don't - but Christians have a right to make movies that promote Christian faith and spiritual transformation. But I was a bit taken aback to discover that this was a Christian movie - because there's nothing in its description that would make you think it's a Christian movie. Actually, you have to pretty much wait for the closing credits to discover that one organization that appears to have been highly involved in putting this together was a church (whose name I just can't remember) that appears to be an Australian evangelical church. Which, again, is perfectly fair. I just wish it had been stated outright. The story - based apparently on an actual case - that is described sounds interesting. A young man (played by an Australian actor named Nathan Wilson) is falsely accused and convicted of rape and has to find a way to survive in prison while awaiting his appeal. That actually sounds pretty interesting - and it's not at all a bad movie - but once you get into it you discover that it's much more a movie about Christian conversion than surviving prison (not that the two aren't related in this case.) At times, the religious element comes across as a bit forced and unnatural - and there's a weird scene of what seemed to be a kind of forced baptism of another inmate that somehow magically converts him! (If it were that simple we Christians should just go out on the streets with buckets of water and splash unsuspecting people on the head!) So, while I'm all in favour of Christian movies and evangelism, I was just a bit put off by how it was all handled.The story itself seemed a little bit choppy. It starts very abruptly. We learn that Will (Wilson) is a nurse - a pretty good one apparently - who hooks up with a girl at a bar, has sex with her and then has her accuse him of rape. It apparently had something to do with her wanting to get her boyfriend jealous or something. I didn't think the incident was well portrayed or sufficiently explained. But we do know that Will gets convicted and sent to prison. The prison story to me remained choppy and poorly put together. It gave us a taste of what life must be like inside a prison in Australia (and, presumably, most Western countries) but it was only a taste. Will develops relationships with several prisoners who guide him through the experience. To be honest, although he clearly wanted out, it didn't seem as if he had that hard a time on the inside. There was a good performance (maybe the best in the movie) from Martin Sacks as Jimmy Cove - a tough, veteran inmate who befriends Will. Otherwise, the performances were OK, but not spectacular in my opinion.Most of the movie, basically, is the tension of waiting to find out if Will's appeal is going to be successful and he's going to be released. I have to say that this doesn't present a particularly flattering portrayal of the Australian justice system. If the movie is accurate, the evidence against Will was flimsy at best, there was a lot of reason for reasonable doubt and yet still the Crown also appeals the verdict to get his sentence INCREASED. Which means that, knowing that he's innocent, you feel a lot of sympathy for Will, and you want him to get out. So, for that reason alone, the movie does hold your attention. (5/10)

This is a film about how it is possible to overcome challenges in our life, no matter how tough they might seem. With some great Australian actors (as well as some new ones), alongside a compelling script, the audience is taken on Will's journey, through his lowest of lows and his highest of highs. Will's friendship with inmate Jimmy is a touching part of the story and also provided some Aussie comic relief in what is quite a serious film. The dedication and hard work the director has put into making this film what it is does not go unnoticed by the audience. This is a film which should not be missed and at the same time is good for the soul!

My partner and I have watched 'Rise' close to a dozen times since it's Australian cinema release. One of those earthy Australian timeless classics that you can watch over and over again. A film that pulls on the heart strings of even a hardened man like myself each time I watch it. The film is grounded, real and was written and directed by Mack Lindon, who the film is based on. So it's void of over dramatisation that we see in too many films today. That's what makes 'Rise' so comfortable to watch, even though the basis of the story is so far from it. This debut film from first time director Mack Lindon also looks into the human side of finding hope as strongly as the process and challenges of finding justice. Watching characters Will (Nathan Wilson), Jimmy (Martin Sacks) and Fung (Marty Rhone) was an absolute pleasure. The interactions were powerful and a stand out. Also some genuine performances by some relatively new faces to the screen reiterate that realism to the film and a credit to the casting. As a package, 'Rise' is one film everyone should see. A story of hope that we can all relate too. It may even inspire you to do something that brings hope to others.

This movie is extremely touching. I've never left a cinema feeling more rewarded! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND watching RISE to anybody needing to be uplifted. A few laughs, tears and a sense of walking out taller than when you walked in. With a budget this small, I'm blown away that not only was there quality talent but the music choice was perfectly placed to compliment the emotions for each scene. Well done to Nathan Wilson (Will McIntyre) and Martin Sacks (Jimmy Cove) Nathan Wilson - an up and comer set to reach some height in the entertainment industry. Congratulations! On another note, it makes you remember that not everyone who goes to jail is guilty. So often it appears people are 'guilty until proved innocent' rather than the other way round. My hope is that people in all walks of life will be positively impacted by this story. The world needs more uplifting films like RISE and I'm not surprised that this film has ruffled the feathers of people who would prefer to watch films that promote hopelessness, death and zombies.