Ronnie Lipsick (Jackie van Beek) was once an award-winning soap star until an untimely pregnancy derailed her career. Move forward 18 years and she’s in a sexless marriage to husband Cormack (Jeremy Lindsay Taylor), resented by her wheelchair-bound daughter Norah (Hannah Diviney) and focuses all her energy on making her other daughter Audrey (Josephine Blazier) into a star. The problem is, Audrey has zero interest in becoming the worldwide star her mother failed to be. In the middle of her latest angry outburst against her parents, Audrey suffers a tragic mishap that puts her in a coma. With Audrey out of the way, Ronnie sees an opportunity to take her daughter’s identity in a bid for stardom once again.
‘Audrey’ from director Natalie Bailey is a black comedy from Australia that is laugh-out-loud funny while posing some really thought-provoking questions. Ronnie is a frustrated housewife who can’t put her dreams of superstardom, and her memories of past glories, behind her. Rather than accepting that her career is behind her, Ronnie focuses on daughter Audrey, and tries to live vicariously through her. In doing so, she alienates the rest of her family and has absolutely no idea. Audrey’s mishap changes everything, and that’s where the film gets really interesting.
Initially the family is shocked by Audrey’s accident but soon they start to see that life with her in a coma is infinitely preferable. Ronnie seizes the opportunity to impersonate her daughter and become a star once again, but it’s not just Ronnie that gets a new lease of life. Her husband Cormack uses the tragedy to grow close a man he is drawn to, exploring his sexuality and reminding himself that he is still a sexual being, and her other daughter Norah, starts to expand her social circle, gaining popularity she’s never had before. Any parent watching the film that has had to endure a wayward son or daughter, will likely find themselves relating to Ronnie and her family more than they’d like to admit.
An exploration of the tolls of parenthood and the necessity for people to leave their dreams behind when they become parents, ‘Audrey’ poses some truly interesting questions. Like many of us when we reach the ‘settling down’ period of life, Ronnie and Cormack become passive in their existence. They forget their own needs and having to constantly deal with two ungrateful children becomes all they do day-in, day-out. Taking Audrey out of the equation allows them to reflect on what life could be like, and once they get a taste of that, it makes life unexpectedly difficult and complicated.
Jackie van Beek is superb as Ronnie. She’s able to spit out one-liners and acerbic barbs with ease, and she convinces during the film’s weightier moment. One moment stands out, when she loses her temper during an acting class after being told she’s not being a convincing tree. It’s a brilliant scene and showcase for Beek’s talents. Jeremy Lindsay Taylor is very strong too, turning Cormack into a loveable character, despite some of his questionable actions. Together with Beek, the pair carry the film with ease. Josephine Blazier and Hannah Diviney are worth a mention too, with Diviney getting a chance to shine in the film’s second half.
‘Audrey’ is refreshing and it takes me back to a time when comedy wasn’t as policed as it is now. Nothing is off the table in this film and it takes risks, reaping the rewards of doing so in the process. It’s very funny, superbly acted and genuinely asks some hard questions. Why aren’t there more modern comedies like this? ‘Audrey’ is a rare gem and it’s a film you should seek out as soon as you can.
Cast: Jackie van Beek, Jeremy Lindsay Taylor, Josephine Blazier, Hannah Diviney, Aaron Fa’aoso Director: Natalie Bailey Writer: Lou Sanz Certificate: 15 Duration: 97 mins Released by: Vertigo Releasing Release date: 17th March 2025 (digital platforms)
