Writer and Director David Vincent Smith’s directorial debut He Ain’t Heavy is an intimate and brutal depiction of addiction and domestic violence. But, the film triumphs by playing it straight and taking no prisoners. While peeling back layers of psychological trauma and dysfunction. Some spoilers will follow.
Shot in Gosnells, Western Australia. The setting, vibe and locations are instantly recognisable. Lending gravitas to events and performances over the 102 minutes. This feels like home to any urban and semi rural Perth Southie.
Leila George (Mortal Engines) stars as Jade. Struggling with the feeling that she’s not in control of her prospects and the life she deserves is out of reach. Holding down a mediocre job and existence, her time consumed trying to prevent a barely manageable family situation from imploding. Greta Scacchi (Looking for Alibrandi) plays Bev, Jade and Max’s mother who’s surviving and enabling her son Max’s addiction. Sam Corlett (Vikings: Valhalla) plays Max. A drug fuelled hood rat who only surfaces to terrorise Jade and Bev in the throes of withdrawal, while trying to score his next fix.
He Ain’t Heavy is a rollercoaster of heartbreak and character exploration. Depictions are violent and raw. Jade, desperate to break the downward spiral Max is riding, hatches a plan to intervene out of love. Confining Max to a makeshift prison and forced detox. This also forces Bev to confront and reconcile her enabling as a diehard and loving mother.
To be expected, Max’s forced detox is manipulative and self destructive. He progresses through withdrawal, exposing the inner demons driving his choices. Corlett’s portrayal is authentic and heartbreaking for anybody who’s experienced or had proximity to this kind of thing. Which may prove too close to home for some.
Despite the suspense and emotional toll this film expects, He Ain’t Heavy is wonderfully shot with cinematography by Lewis Potts. Brian Kruger provides mood setting ambience with a synth score that melds with the dramatic events.
He Ain’t Heavy is a powerhouse of local Western Australia film production. An easy 8/10 padlocks, with realism guaranteed to leave a lump in the throat of even the staunchest viewer. The film is in cinemas from today, October 17 and this reviewer highly recommends you give it a shot.
