Executive Producers: Ben Browning, Jason Cloth, Aaron L. Gilbert, Brenda Gilbert, and Andrew Pollack
Director: Jennifer Kent
Writer: Jennifer Kent
Major Cast: Aisling Franciosi, Sam Claflin, Baykali Ganambarr, Damon Herriman, Harry Greenwood, Ewen Leslie, Charlie Shotwell, Michael Sheasby, Matthew Sunderland, Magnoolia Maymuru, Christopher Stollery, Nathaniel Dean, Claire Jones, Luke Carroll, and Dallas Mugarra
MMPA Rating: R for strong violent and disturbing content including rape, language throughout, and brief sexuality
*******
Nightingale has the same pacing of The Piano by Jane Campion, but unlike the character of Ada McGrath, Clare Carroll has some major bones to pick with a few soldiers who left her with nothing to live for except revenge. The movie begins with Clare, a young Irish woman married to a man named Aidan, trying to set herself free from the grips of a British lieutenant, Hawkins. The lieutenant along with his sergeant, Ruse, and private, Jago, make it clear to Clare she will not be freed despite finishing her seven year sentence. She continues to plead for her freedom so she can move with her family. This only angers Hawkins, punishes her, and leaves for his post in Launceston. It sets off a chain of events and after being regarded as a liar, Clare follows the soldiers with an Aborginal tracker named Billy. As they make their way across the harsh lands of Tasmania, Clare and Billy learn about each other, the reasons for risking their lives, and the lengths each will go to get what they think will bring them justice. Besides being beautifully shot and the friendship that evolves between Clare and Billy, there is a brutal rawness of the whole story. For all the heavy subject matter, it’s captivating and liberating as well.
