Aaron McGrath and Levi Miller.
Camera IconAaron McGrath and Levi Miller. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Jasper Jones premiere at CinefestOZ

Lisa ThomasEastern Reporter

CINEFESTOZ Film Festival film prize finalist Jasper Jones premiered in Busselton on Wednesday night ahead of its release date in cinemas in January 2017.

The film, adapted from Craig Silvey’s best-selling Australian novel, is an enticing whodunit that keeps you guessing until the very end.

It is set in the fictional town of Corrigan, a small mining town in WA during 1969.

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On one hot Christmas night, young boy Charlie Bucktin (Levi Miller) is woken by a local indigenous boy and outcast Jasper Jones (Aaron McGrath) at his window asking for his help.

They walk deep into the forest where they find Laura, a local girl, beaten and hanging from a tree.

After Jasper tells Charlie he loved her and didn’t do it but he thinks he knows who is responsible, the two unlikely friends go on a life-changing journey to solve the mystery of who killed her.

The movie takes you on a journey of love, laughter, heartbreak, secrecy, courage and life in a small, close-minded town.

Jasper Jones is a well-rounded film which sheds light on life in a prejudiced Australia during the Vietnam War.

It has a stellar cast including Toni Collette, Hugo Weaving, Angourie Rice, Dan Wylie and Myles Pollard.

It is a good quality Australian film that is worth a trip to the cinemas for.

THE ESSENTIALS

Jasper Jones

Directed by: Rachel Perkins

Starring: Levi Miller, Aaron McGrath, Angourie Rice, Toni Collette, Hugo Weaving

Four Stars

Review by Lisa Thomas