Palm Trees and Power Lines – ABC Film Challenge – Female Directors – D (Dack) – Palm Trees and Power Lines – Movie Review
Director: Jamie Dack
Writer: Jamie Dack, Audrey Findlay (Screenplay)
Cast
- Lily McInerny (Tell Me Lies)
- Jonathan Tucker (Hostage)
- Gretchen Mol (Manchester by the Sea)
- Armani Jackson (Ready Player One)
- Quinn Frankel
Plot: A disconnected teenage girl enters a relationship with a man twice her age. She sees him as the solution to all her problems, but his intentions are not what they seem.
Runtime: 1 Hour 50 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Palm Trees and Power Lines starts when a bored teenager Lea (McInerny) is looking to keep herself occupied during summer break. Her friends like to cause trouble and her connection with her mother Sandra (Mol) is poor. After the latest incident, Lea almost gets caught until Tom (Tucker) steps in to help her.
As the two get to know each other, Lea starts to enjoy spending time with a more mature man. However, the bigger question about their age difference starts to take over the situation.
Verdict on Palm Trees and Power Lines
Palm Trees and Power Lines is a drama following a teenage girl who gets drawn into spending time with an older guy. However, as she finds herself enjoying her time with him, questions start getting asked about the pair being together.
This is a difficult subject matter to bring to life. It shows the predatory behaviour that can come from being around the wrong people and how easily they can manipulate their victims. While it starts out harmless, it becomes extremely dark by the end and is easily going to be difficult for anyone to watch. Lily McInerny gives an outstanding performance in the leading role in the movie. She shows the emotional damage caused by what happens throughout the movie.
Final Thoughts – Palm Trees and Power Lines is disturbing, shocking and uncomfortable to watch.
