Heroin and milkshakes are the most prominent vices of Dan and Candy in this tragic romance from director Neil Armfield and writer Luke Davies. Oh, and each other – that’s probably their most significant addiction.
Neil Armstrong’s film is expertly put together, and there are no gratuitous scenes. Subtle when it wants to be, outrageous when it needs to be, Candy is a powerful film, and features some darkly humorous moments alongside the more shocking. Special mention should be made of the film’s aural impact also. Not only is the soundtrack perfect, but the sound design is extraordinary, at times elevating the effects to take us right into the characters’ world, at other times more subtle – lulling us into a false sense of security before lashing out once more.
The supporting cast are only disappointing for their ubiquitousness – Noni Hazelhurst (Little Fish) here again as the mother of a junkie, Geoffrey Rush (Munich) as a user that moves in slightly higher circles and Tony Martin as Candy’s father. Their performances are all stellar, and I understand the need for big names in Australian film, but surely there are many less prevalent faces out there in the acting world who would have been just as effective?
Solemn and heartbreaking