“Self-appointed Mother of the Year, Ronnie has given her daughter Audrey everything, so when Audrey selfishly falls into a coma, Ronnie has no choice but to keep their dreams alive by assuming her identity.”
You can be forgiven for dismissing Audrey as another drama centred around pageant mum syndrome, based on the official synopsis above. In fact, the movie starts off as expected.
Ronnie Lipsick was a Logie-winning actress. However, an unexpected pregnancy derailed her trajectory and she is now a housewife who pours all her energy into developing the next superstar. Her daughter, the beautiful but petulant, Audrey. If there’s a class out there that’s remotely associated with acting, Audrey is enrolled in it. Ronnie’s dedication is so intense that her youngest daughter, Norah, is relegated to second fiddle. There’s no money for her hobbies, there’s no time for her upkeep. Even though Norah’s cerebral palsy means she has special needs, it’s all about Audrey.
You have the perfect mix for a drama right here. The washed up mum living disturbingly vicariously through her daughter. An angsty teenager who just wants to live her life her way. Sibling resentment.
That is plenty of fodder for a movie. However, the minute Audrey slips into a coma, every thing unravels and you are taken down a twisty road of discovery.
Audrey does well to examine the complexity of familial dysfunction. As is the case with most conflict in life, it’s easy to blame just one party for everything. However, dysfunction can also be the resultant mess of a handful of small problems interacting in unexpected ways.
Yes, Ronnie is psychotically obsessed with fame. I physically cringed at her outlandishness. However, as the movie progressed, I found myself empathising with her. Maybe because as a mother, I know how hard it can be to try to regain your former pre-baby self. When you’re surrounded by a band of misfits not just in your own family but your entire suburb, your grip on reality will surely loosen.
Of course, this is not enough to exonerate Ronnie. However, if Ronnie is guilty of being the worst mum of the year, then her family are accomplices.
Despite the dodginess of the family and their circumstances, you can’t help but smile for how serene they are while Audrey is in a coma. It is heartwarming to see them actually bond over dinner. Maybe there is a single toxic reason keeping them away from being a perfect family after all.
Yes, I realise I have flipped flopped from my earlier argument but that’s what you get with this movie. It does such a fabulous job of introducing so much new material to consider that it is simply impossible to form an opinion when the credits rolls. Instead, you find yourself discussing it with your movie buddy and deliberating on the drive home.
It is almost cliched to hear people say family is complicated. But Audrey shows us how complicated it is without devolving into a gloomy mess. Instead, it tempers things with a good dose of dry wit and pops of humour. Kudos to Audrey for delivering a movie that is both thought-provoking and darkly funny.
Audrey is showing at Somerville Auditorium as part of the Lotterywest Films line up at Perth Festival from 14th – 15th December. Grab your tickets here!