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FILM REVIEW - Hating Alison Ashley Teenage angst is pushed, prodded and given a good airing by the camp fire in the film adaptation of Hating Alison Ashley. Based on the novel by Robin Klein, the film centres around Erica Yurken (Saskia Burmeister), an angst ridden school girl who believes her intellect is simply misunderstood by everyone around her and who can not believe she was not adopted. However, Yurken, or Yuk as she's known by the wild group of misfits in her classroom battles on. Undeterred by her loner status or the fact her little sister has believed herself a horse for the first seven years of her life, Erica continues to fulfil her dream of playing Juliet in the school's upcoming drama camp production. Erica compensates for the her lonely lunches with her role as teacher's pet to the power-hungry, chain-smoking, super-bitch Miss Beaumont (Jean Kittson). But even this small achievement is seriously endangered when new student Alison Ashley (Delta Goodrem) joins her class. With her long golden locks and perfect smile, Alison Ashley soon turns from potential friend into foe as Erica's jealous strike leaves her acting dreams at the school camp in tatters with hilarious results. There is not much to fault in the film version of Hating Alison Ashley. The film not only follows Klein's story closely, but the choice of cast brings the loveable story to life. Delta Goodrem is subtle and serene as Alison Ashley. The Aussie songstress proves that her days on Neighbours were not a fluke, with Goodrem aiding Alison in the dramatic wit department. Jean Kittson is hilarious in her role as Miss Beamount. For Kittson, the quick witted, ruler with a harsh hand and believer in blind discipline role seems effortless, as her year's of comedic prowess helped her slide into the role. Saskia Burmeister however proved the standout performer. Her balancing act of teenage drama and comedy as the moody Erica was exceptional. So realistic was her portrayal of a teenager desperate for love and attention that she will no doubt strike a chord with film audiences both old and young. The pairing together of Burmeister and Goodrem was also a strike of genius in casting, as the two showed much needed chemistry on screen. For a film that relies so heavily on intense emotions bouncing back and forth between two teenage characters, Burmeister and Goodrem proved the perfect match. While book purists might pick holes in the film adaptation, Hating Alison Ashley is one of Australia's first home grown film for 2005 that is well worth your dollars. Go Back to Interviews & Reviews |