Review: Five Moments of Infidelity (2006)
Jerry Saravia
Reviewed by Jerry Saravia
RATING: Three stars and a half
It is always gratifying to know that all major cities, countries and
continents around the world share the same problems with
relationships, including the city of Melbourne in Australia. The means
by which someone cheats is hinted at in "Five Moments of Infidelity,"
though the film aims to be more than a parable of infidelity.
In the opening scene, we see Narelle (Sally McDonald) in bed with
another man, Billy (Kirk Westwood). Nothing too shocking about that
yet our initial impression is that these two are lovebirds, signalling
the beginning of a new relationship. We find out that Narelle, a
secretary, is indeed in love with the new man in her life, though he
turns out to be a womanizer and "loves" her but is not in love,
despite allowing her access to his apartment.
Then there is the gay couple, Danny (Jason Chong) and Mitchel (Joshua
Cameron), who love to party and have seemingly agreed to having an
"open" relationship. Danny, however, is not keen on it - maybe he
loves the idea of pursuing another man but not necessarily to have sex
with and destroy what he has (presumably, fidelity also springs from
having to live in the same roof).
Jacinta (Holly Sinclair) is the innocent teenager who hates her
alcoholic mother (Annie Jones). This conflicted, dysfunctional family
unit is something out of an episode of "East Enders," and perhaps the
harshest in this string of infidelity episodes. The father (Brett
Swain) has the toughest time putting up with a series of shouting
matches between mother and daughter so, yes, a psychiatrist is needed
for this family. Paging Dr. Phil!
Hard-working Anthony (Alex Papps) and his long-suffering wife, Vicki
(Amanda Douge), have a tougher time making love - he is so stressed
and blames work. Vicki has had enough of masturbating in the shower -
she pursues a man and actively seeks some human contact. Who can blame
her for being simply horny.
Last but not least is the strange dynamic between another hard-working
man, Hayden (John Sheedy), and his terminally annoying and annoyed and
downright fed-up American girlfriend, Brittney (Charmaine Gorman). She
hates when he goes to parties by himself, hates it when he doesn't
call or show up at a more convenient time, yet sometimes she doesn't
mind and loves him. It is not unreasonable to expect Hayden to seek
interests elsewhere since this woman is always having a crying fit and
can drive someone quite mad.
First-time writer-director Kate Gorman weaves these infidelity tales
with ease. There is almost never a wasted moment - every scene feels
true to the characters' dilemnas. Some characters, such as Vicki and
Hayden, feel more realistically portrayed than others but generally
Gorman does an admirable job of handling this Altmanesque narrative.
In fact, some of the characters' denouements are left open-ended,
making one wonder what will happen next in their lives. Though these
episodes often smacks of British melodrama, on the order of East
Enders, it is at times quite sharply written and directed. And the
dysfunctional family unit has its own issues of faith and fidelity to
family - it is the most emotionally wrenching tale of them all with
the tragic, memorable beauty of the lost soul, Jacinta.
My feeling on "Five Moments of Infidelity" is that it has a groove,
and either you are in harmony with it or you are not. The characters
have a measure of depth to their personalities and they do grow on
you, even the gay couple who are given less screen time than anyone
else. Sometimes working hard at your job and bringing flowers for your
loved ones or significant others is not enough to repair the emotional
work one must put out. "Five Moments of Infidelity" shows how hard it
is have a relationship that works.
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