Film Review: With or Without You (2024) - Australia
Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critic Circle of Australia)
I rated it 8/10
Rating: ★★★★
Support my reviews by buying me a Coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/neofilmblog
Support our reviews by buying from official DVDs / Blu Rays at NeoFilmShop.com
A Fractured Family Odyssey Anchored by Towering Performances - Australian director Kelly Schilling’s debut feature, “With or Without You," arrives like a dusty, sun-bleached postcard from the heart of South Australia – one stained with tears and cheap beer, yet somehow holding a glimmer of defiant hope. Premiering at the Adelaide Film Festival, this road movie navigates the treacherous terrain of intergenerational trauma and addiction, emerging as a powerful and poignant entry in contemporary Australian cinema. It’s a film that earns its rating not through easy answers, but through raw, unforgettable humanity.
The engine of this journey is, without question, Marta Dusseldorp as Sharon. This is a performance that deserves the adjective "towering." Dusseldorp crafts a woman fractured by grief and drowning in alcoholism, a walking contradiction who is, often simultaneously, outrageously funny and heartbreakingly vulnerable. Her recklessness is terrifying, her pain palpable, yet Dusseldorp finds shards of wit and a desperate, damaged charm that prevents Sharon from becoming a mere caricature of despair. It’s a career-best turn, a masterclass in portraying the chaotic whirlwind of addiction without losing sight of the soul trapped within.
She is met with equally compelling force by Melina Vidler as her daughter, Chloe. Vidler embodies resilience etched with deep-seated wariness. Her performance is quieter, more internal, but no less powerful. Chloe’s guarded nature, her armor forged in the fire of her mother’s instability, provides the film’s essential *emotional spine. The volatile, deeply flawed, yet undeniably potent bond between these two women is the film’s core. Albert Mwangi, as Dalu, provides the crucial stabilizing element. His portrayal brings a quiet dignity and consistency, a grounded presence offering vital contrast and a glimpse of possible sanctuary amidst the chaos. He is the foil this volatile duo desperately needs.
Schilling, drawing from personal wells, directs with a hand that feels both assured and compassionate. She approaches the heavy themes of addiction, fractured families, and the arduous path towards forgiveness with respect and care. There’s no exploitation here, only a clear-eyed, often painful observation. She captures a distinctly lived-in Australian milieu – the flickering neon of roadside motels, the sticky floors of country pubs, the claustrophobic intimacy of caravans – with an authenticity that avoids cliché. This isn't a postcard Australia; it's the real, sometimes grimy, backdrop to real pain.
Michael Tessari’s cinematography, rightly lauded, elevates the journey beyond mere geography. He transforms the vast, often harsh beauty of the South Australian landscape into a character itself, reflecting the emotional states of our travelers. The visuals aren't just pretty; they are emotionally resonant, turning the road trip into a visually and emotionally beautiful pilgrimage through inner and outer landscapes.
The film moves at a largely fast-paced clip, Schilling wisely ensuring the inherent heaviness of the subject matter doesn't translate into a slog. Moments of unexpected levity, often stemming from Sharon's chaotic energy, puncture the gloom effectively. While inelegant stitching in certain scene transitions – a minor stumble in an otherwise confident stride – the overall rhythm remains engaging, pulling the audience relentlessly forward.
“With or Without You" occasionally grapples with the tonal shift when flirting with romantic subplots against its gritty realism. Yet, this is a minor quibble in the face of its overwhelming strengths. Ultimately, the film stands as a sensitive treatise on grief, the corrosive nature of secrets, and the stubborn, messy bonds that offer hope even when they seem irreparably broken. Its conclusion is genuinely moving, arriving not with saccharine resolution, but with a hard-won sense of possibility.
Kelly Schilling announces herself as a significant new voice in Australian filmmaking. “With or Without You" is a remarkable debut – tough, tender, and anchored by performances that will linger long after the credits roll. It’s a journey well worth taking. (Neo, 2026)