Here I Am (2010)

Critic Reviews

• David Michael Brown, Empire Magazine Australasia

  Here it is, a solid and heartfelt debut.

• Jim Schembri, The Age (Australia)

  Sadly, the strong performances that were needed to sell this tough drama just aren't there.

• Leigh Paatsch, Herald Sun (Australia)

  The tedious direction of Beck Cole mistakenly assumes mood matters more than character development.

• Philippa Hawker, The Age (Australia)

  Quietly, and with an unobtrusive grace, Here I Am explores harsh truths, everyday realities and intimations of change.

• David Stratton, At the Movies (Australia)

  Unfortunately, Cole's decision to cast non-professional actors in many roles doesn't pay off; in too many scenes, both Langton and Pittman are awkward and visibly uncomfortable playing their roles, and this reduces the film's impact.

• Belinda Hazleton, FILMINK (Australia)

  While the first half is a little uneven and the dialogue is occasionally clunky, the lead performances are strong and this ends up life-affirming stuff.

• Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile

  It is a muted redemption story; Beck avoids the easy, oversimplifications that Hollywood might impose, and she lets us gently believe in Karen's hopeful future.

• Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile

  The story may not have the ballast of the unforgettable Samson & Delilah whose making of documentary Cole directed, but it has an appealing wistfulness.

Read all 8 critic reviews