3 stars (out of 5)
Director: Bob Connolly, Sophie Raymond.
Cast: Karen Carey, Emily Sun, Lousie Keller, Lynn Byun, Damian Barbeler, Kimbali Harding
Rating: (M)
Every two years, a prestigious Sydney girls' school holds a concert at the Opera House. At the helm of this bold undertaking is Karen Carey, a teacher who lives for her job. As the concert has a reputation for unbridled excellence, the occasion certainly warrants a film.
Documentary veteran Bob Connolly obtained privileged access to the institution and blended into the school corridors with his camera. It is some undertaking. With a recorded 263 hours of footage, Mrs Carey's Concert is a dutiful attempt to craft a truly observational documentary.
But fly-on-the-wall films can be tedious when nothing much happens, and halfway through the film you get the sense that the film-makers only just figure this out.
The story revolves around casual encounters with Mrs Carey as she cajoles her pupils to give everything to the performance. This is the most remarkable aspect of the film. The school isn't a music academy, yet every pupil is expected to participate, which does not meet universal approval.
Fortunately, the film-makers manage to isolate the heroes and villains among the pupils and concentrate on what matters most, a story about battlers, emotion and the redemptive power of music.
The effort gone into pulling Mrs Carey's Concert together is astounding. But does that make it worthwhile? Well, it depends on your expectations. The film suffers through improbable hype, but the persistence of Connolly and fellow director Sophie Raymond is certainly remarkable.
Best thing: The music. Emily's playing in particular is raw but edgy.
Worst thing: The overall structure. This film has been over-thought.
See it with: An unmotivated teenager.
- Mark Orton
