Newcastle

For some reason, the fact that there is a great story and great message underneath all the surfing and teenage promiscuity in the film Newcastle has been lost.

In the little promotion I have seen there is not a lot of reason to see it unless you are a surfing enthusiast and about 16. But it's a lot better than that.

Set in working class Newcastle, the film centres on 17-year-old Jesse who has his sights set on making the international circuit but lives in the considerable shadow of his older half-brother Victor.

Then there's Jesse's other full-brother Fergus. He's clearly a different creature to his siblings and is ridiculed even by them at times.

When Jesse bombs out of an event their group of mates including Andy, Scotty and Nathan and two lovely lasses head to a secluded beach for a weekend away. What ensues is plenty of frivolity, drinking, sex and discovery.

Fergus is still hassled by the guys except for Andy who accepts him and, dare I say, flirts with him. (It is unclear whether they suggest that a relationship of some kind eventuates or Andy is merely being accepting and friendly and I think that is good).

The only issue I had with the film is that it took a while for me to work out what story they were trying to tell. The use of the water shots were spectacular, especially in slow motion and they used the water as the scene of plenty of confrontations. Again that had great effect.

The cast is largely unknowns, aside from a few familiar faces and a couple of not surprising cameos, and many of them shine, particularly Lachlan Buchanan as Jesse and Kirk Jenkins as Andy.

It is remarkable watching Jesse grow from an arrogant, self centred young man into someone who can learn from his mistakes and the mistakes of others.

Fittingly, there isn't really an ending but there is a direction. It's not perfect but a surprising 8 out of 10.