IMDb >
The Rage in Placid Lake (2003)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsThe Rage in Placid Lake (2003) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 3 | slideshow) |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
28 August 2003 (Australia) moreGenre:
ComedyTagline:
Placid Lake isn't your usual rebel. He wants to work in insurance. morePlot:
An exuberant, sharply satirical comedy about two parentally neglected teenagers who find the courage to believe in themselves full summary | add synopsisAwards:
4 wins & 11 nominations moreUser Comments:
'The Rage in Placid Lake' is a gem. moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Jordan Brooking | ... | Young Placid | |
| Ben Lee | ... | Placid Lake | |
| Rose Byrne | ... | Gemma Taylor | |
| Miranda Richardson | ... | Sylvia Lake | |
| Lucas Fraccaro | ... | Bull (5 years old) | |
| Cruise Moylan | ... | Angus (5 years old) | |
| Zan Cross | ... | Lachie (5 years old) | |
| Garry McDonald | ... | Doug Lake | |
| Eleeza Hooker | ... | Young Gemma | |
| Jesse Spence | ... | Jenny | |
| Simone Cullinan | ... | Sharon | |
| Socratis Otto | ... | Bozo | |
| Toby Schmitz | ... | Bull | |
| Nathaniel Dean | ... | Lachie | |
| Stephen James King | ... | Angus |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
Australia:89 minCountry:
AustraliaLanguage:
EnglishColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Dolby DigitalFun Stuff
Quotes:
[first lines]Placid Lake: I try to find the positives in my experiences
Young Placid: [dressed in a frilly dress for his first day of school, and about to be pushed onto the playground by his hippie mother] Mummy, I *can't*.
Sylvia Lake: Darling, just remember you're challenging their pre-conceived notions of sexuality.
more
Soundtrack:
Yellow Envelope moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Rage in Placid Lake (2003) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Is It College Yet? | Superman | Les invasions barbares | Ghost Busters | Little Miss Sunshine |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Comedy section | IMDb Australia section | Add this title to MyMovies |




I can't believe I didn't hear about this film when it was released. I must have missed The Movie Show that particular week. I saw the DVD on the shelf of my local video shop, while it was in the New Releases section. I saw the cover, loved the word-play in the title, and, thinking it was American, I told myself I would get it out when it gets moved to the weekly section.
I saw it, in the weekly section, some time later, and I read the blurb on the back and thought, 'that sounds really interesting, I'll get it out someday'. Then last week, I picked it up again, and noticed the Australian Film Finance Corporation named on the back. I was in. I hired it, took it home, and loved every minute.
From the first scene, 'The Rage in Placid Lake' sets itself up to be taken only semi-seriously. The parents of Placid Lake, our hero, are, as his name would suggest, extreme New Agers. We first meet Placid at primary school, where his mother drops him off in a dress, admonishing him to challenge the other children's pre-conceived notions of sexuality. Between flashbacks to his childhood, the film follows Placid's transition from school to work, which is fraught with stresses. Having failed to achieve happiness following his parents' advice, Placid takes a new tack: he gets his hair cut like George W. Bush, buys a suit, and lands a job with an insurance company. All of which is most distressing to his best friend Gemma, and his parents, who go to great lengths to shake him out of this Capitalist madness.
Writer and Director Tony McNamara has worked primarily in theatre, and has also written for television, including Southern Star's magnificent 'The Secret Life of Us'. His background in the theatre, however, lends this film a very intimate and human touch. He had originally thought of this story as a play, but rightly judged it to be more suited to film, and made adjustments accordingly. The result is a film that stands out as something fresh, something that takes old ideas and stereotypes, and employs them to great effect.
While the characters in this film can be described as caricatures, Placid's journey into adulthoodhis discovery of himself and of his relationshipsresonates with such humanity that the suspension of disbelief is no effort. The pathos with which the characters are written boldly emphasises McNamara's assertion that we must be true to ourselves.
The most remarkable aspect of this film, however, remains the sad fact that so few people have seen it or even heard about it. It is an example of the magnificent films being produced in this country, and highlights the miserable plight of Australian filmmakers, overshadowed by the monstrous marketing ploys of their American counterparts. 'The Rage in Placid Lake' may not quite be as noteworthy in the history of Australian film as 'Jedda' or 'Mad Max' or 'Romper Stomper', but it makes a profound statement about humanity that sits somewhat uncomfortably in a world of Free Trade Agreements and 'Wars on Terror'. What's more, it makes that statement beautifully.