Samson and Delilah

No, not the 1950s Biblical epic, but a sobering look at a romance between a pair of Aboriginal teenagers. Samson's early attempts at courtship are met with irritated indifference, though Delilah's granny is highly amused and decides they're as good as married already. Matters aren't helped by his refusal to speak. It's only late in the film, when he finally states his name that the audience realize it's because he has a bad stammer. Likewise a dedication on the radio towards the end reveals that his father is nearing the end of a prison sentence. In fact, the males on show are such a dispiriting bunch you can entirely understand Delilah's attitude. The womenfolk at least have a spark to them, and Delilah shows real resilience in overcoming the horrendous events that happen to her. Violence is worringly rife: the women beat Delilah for supposedly neglecting her granny (she didn't); Samson hits his brother and smashes his guitar and in turn is given a violent beating; when the couple eventually return one of the women tries to attack Samson. It's hardly surprising that addiction is a relief from the tedium, yet this almost costs Samson the girl he loves as twice we see him walking on oblivious to her fate (rape, being hit by a car) This all probably sounds grim, but there's a dry humour - Samson relentlessly following Delilah as she pushes granny in her wheelchair (by the end Delilah, despite being the one with an injured leg, is now pushing Samson around in the wheelchair); the brother and his pals endlessly playing what feels like the same reggae riff all day; Delilah's withering glances at Samson's hapless attempts to impress her. There's even a glimmer of hope at the end.