Dawn 'Sweetie'
Geneviève Lemon
Dawn 'Sweetie'
Sweetie
“There will not be a more extraordinary film than “Sweetie” in a long long time!”
6.0
1989
1h 40m
DramaComedy
Director: Jane Campion
Overview
The buttoned-down, superstitious Kay is attempting to lead a normal existence with her new boyfriend Louis. That’s until Sweetie, her rampaging, devil-may-care sister, returns home after an absence, exposing the rotten roots of their family and placing a strain on Kay and Louis’ relationship.
Trailer
Sweetie (1989) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD]
Cast
Kay
Karen Colston
Kay
Louis
Tom Lycos
Louis
Gordon
Jon Darling
Gordon
Flo
Dorothy Barry
Flo
Clayton
Andre Pataczek
Clayton
Bob
Michael Lake
Bob
Mrs. Schneller
Jean Hadgraft
Mrs. Schneller
Teddy Schneller
Paul Livingston
Teddy Schneller
Cheryl
Louise Fox
Cheryl
Paula
Ann Merchant
Paula
Ruth
Robyn Frank
Ruth
Reviews
CRCulver
When it starts off with the eccentric and shy Kay (Karen Colston) falling in love with the handsome Louis (Tom Lycos), Jane Campion's 1988 film SWEETIE promises a romantic comedy. When Kay's mentally ill sister Dawn (Genevieve Lemon) drops in, the film develops in a very different direction. Some element of comedy, very black humour, remains but overall the film is a family tragedy. The tragedy is that this disturbed young woman nicknamed "Sweetie" is simultaneously a victim of her own illness and an unwilling aggressor against her family, who feign love and acceptance but clearly would like to do without her. The strongest aspect of the film is Lemon's performance, one of the best screen portrayals of mental illness since Bergman's IN A GLASS DARKLY. Something I appreciate more on repeat viewing is that the background to this family drama is left ambiguous. That said, I would not list "Sweetie" among my favourite films: it is overall well-made and memorable but not quite at the level of effusive praise.
Read full reviewmissmiserys
I dislike this film so much. Mental illness is portrayed absolutely horribly in it. None of the characters are likeable whatsoever. A waste of time that I would recommend to no one unless you want to be very annoyed.
Read full reviewFeaturettes (1)
Three Reasons: Sweetie - The Criterion Collection
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