Monster Pies

Monster Pies is an Australian drama film released in 2013, ably directed by Lee Galea. The feature stars an exceptional cast including Tristan Barr, Lucas Linehan, and Rohana Hayes. Demonstrating the challenges that come with teenage love and self-discovery, Monster Pies is a story that captures the hearts of all with its striking narrative and convincing portrayal of characters. While it houses many familiar themes of an adolescent drama, the film uniquely navigates these with a touch of humanity, love, beauty, and poignant sensitivity.

The film is set in the suburban confines of Melbournes' 1990s, a time when the world was on the brink of technology-driven evolution. However, the story revolves around two school-going teenagers, Mike (played by Tristan Barr) & William (played by Lucas Linehan) who are otherwise oblivious to this rapidly transforming world. Their life mostly circles around schoolwork, family dinners, video games, and the teenage ruminations on the existence of aliens.

Both Mike and William are quite the opposites but have a distinct commonality in their shared sense of being different from their peers. Mike, a thoughtful, introverted teenager, lives a quiet life balancing between school and helping his single mother with the daily chore of selling pies, which are humorously referred to as 'Monster Pies'. His normalcy is disrupted when he's paired with the eccentric and free-spirited William for a school film project based on Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'.

Their journey from being mere classmates to friends and an unexpected shift into something more, gives us a brutally familiar ride filled with tender moments, young confusions, delicate romance, heartbreaking rejections, and the looming cloud of societal judgments. Amidst this emotional tornado, the pivotal characters, Mike and William bond over their love for sci-fi, mutual acceptance of each other's quirks, and shared instances spent making the 'Monster Pies'.

Rohana Hayes performs splendidly in the role of Mike's loving mother, Vicki, who tirelessly sells pies at a local football club to make ends meet. Although she has her struggles, her constant endeavor to protect and support Mike catapults the emotional depth of the film. The relationships presented in this film are both loving and thought-provoking, beautifully capturing the essence of family bonding, friendship, first love, and the trials of adolescence.

Director Lee Galea's keen storytelling ability has served a compelling narrative in Monster Pies, which connects deeply with the audience. The storyline is tight-knit, resonating a strong subplot hinting at the harmful societal norms that underline homophobia and how it impacts impressionable young lives. Galea has masterfully used the medium of film to portray the intricacies of young love, the concept of self-discovery, and the brutal sting of harsh reality.

The movie skillfully combines elements of drama, romance, and tragedy to churn out an engaging and emotionally charged tale that strikes the right chords. Though it might seem like a classic teen romance film at the outset, the layered storytelling, coupled with the excellent performance of the cast, makes the movie a unique and memorable experience.

Another significant strength of the film is its cinematography. The choice of natural lighting, realistic locales, and the minimalist approach to the settings lend an authentic visual tone to the story, making it relatable and heartfelt. The music too plays a crucial role, immersing you further into the evolving relationships and complicated emotions our protagonists grapple with.

Monster Pies is a poignant exploration of teenage life brought to the fore through exemplary performances by Tristan Barr and Lucas Linehan. Their characters evolve throughout the movie, providing viewers a glimpse into how moments of love, friendship, and societal pressures shape young minds. The film reminds the audience of their youth's emotional rollercoaster and leaves a lasting impression with its beautifully constructed story, making it well worth the watch. Despite the decade it is set in, the themes Monster Pies discusses are timeless, making it relevant even today. All these aspects combined make Monster Pies a compelling coming-of-age movie worth discovering.