Why Australian crime thriller Cut Snake is a flop

REVIEW: While it has taken a very long time for this casually cryptic Australian crime thriller to get a cinematic release, it doesn’t take long to see why.

Cut Snake (MA15+)

Director: Tony Ayres (Walking on Water)

Starring: Sullivan Stapleton, Alex Russell, Jessica De Gouw, Megan Holloway, Kerry Walker.

Rating: **1/2

An enigma wrapped in a wriggle

While it has taken a very long time for this casually cryptic Australian crime thriller to get a cinematic release, it doesn’t take long to work out it won’t be remembered by many in a hurry.

Perhaps if it is viewed solely as a showcase for the under-appreciated talents of local actor Sullivan Stapleton — mostly plying his trade in the States these days — Cut Snake can still slither its way partially into a viewer’s good graces.

All sideburns and snarl, Stapleton very convincingly plays Pommie, a thuggish ex-con eager to renew acquaintances with a young buddy from his prison days, Sparra (Alex Russell).

As for Sparra, well, he’s just trying his best to stay on the straight-and-narra.

Paula (Jessica De Gouw) in a scene from Cut Snake.

Now that’s he gone and got himself a foxy fiancee (Jessica De Gouw) not quite up to speed on his past, Pommie’s presence could bring the bad old days back in a hurry.

An inconsistent film covering too much familiar ground — strangely, the most original fare on offer is buried well past the halfway mark — Cut Snake often gets distracted by the need to service an admittedly striking (though largely pointless) 1970s production design.

Meanwhile, Stapleton is left largely to fly solo by a support cast incapable of reaching the same creative heights as their charismatic leading man.