Well, this was a very nice surprise! From the moment Pommie (Sullivan Stapleton) makes his appearance in the film, one can feel the tension. A tension that never lights up and - on the contrary - intensifies immensely towards the final act. Interestingly enough, although Pommie is the antagonist, he remains a very likable character - a character I feel and care for, and who's motives I completely understand and actually justifies.

It was also interesting to see Sparra (Alex Russell)'s character develop from an ex-convict now leading a clean existence, to becoming convict again, although unintentionally. This is a very different love story, and also a story of jealousy, and how far one would go for the person you love. Sullivan is really great in this film (and the rest of the cast as well). It is a role I never expected him to do, but he does it so incredibly well that I believed and liked everything about the character.

The film contains drama, action, suspense and romance in equal proportions.

In many ways 'Cut Snake' is a wasted opportunity: it could have been a worthy social drama about how young men sent to prison cope with their prison history when they're out. Critical acclaim and award ceremonies would have followed. Instead, it's packed with macho violence, swearing and drag queens. So fewer filmsnob points, but probably more box office success.

It's Australia (in the 1970s, judging from the outfits). Ex-con 'Sparra' (the personable Alex Russell) is going straight and working in a broom factory when an old mucker from prison, 'Pommie' (Sullivan Stapleton) turns up. Pommie quickly inveigles his way into the home of Sparra and fiancée Paula, despite the former's reluctance - it is clear there is some prison-based connection between the pair, a connection Pommie is determined will continue. Meanwhile, his violent tendencies come to the fore.

Although it is fairly obvious early on what the connection is between Pommie and Sparra, this isn't explicitly stated until late in the film - meaning the viewer cannot be sure s/he fully understands Pommie and Sparra's motivations. But other aspects of the story rattle along at a fair old pace. As for the acting, Russell does well enough in portraying Sparra's confusion, but Stapleton seems so intent on channeling every one-note psycho who has ever featured on screen that by the time his big emotional scene rolls around it is hard to take him seriously. Still, caught as it is between the two genres of social drama and action thriller, 'Cut Snake' is an entertaining film and I would be happy to watch it again.

This is one of those crime thriller dramas I couldn't get into as much as everyone else. The story develops slow and the plot reveals itself slow so consider this your warning for early plot spoilers.

In 1974, Jim Stewart (Sullivan Stapleton) gets out of prison and goes looking for his old friend Merv Farrell (Alex Russell). Merv has moved on and is engaged to Paula (Jessica De Gouw) having started a new life. Jim's presence is disruptive. He doesn't trust him around Paula, and as the plot reveals itself, the two were very close cell mates. Jim returns to what he knows and drags his reluctant buddy into it.

While you can feel the angst and intensity, I was not being entertained. The premise and antics were dull considering today's films. The female impersonators really didn't add anything.

Guide: F-bomb. Sex. Brief Nudity?