Such a frustrating disappointment

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

I don't know what they have in the water down under, but chances are if you're watching an indie film that shocks you, arrests you, and amazes you with its innovation, at least over the past five years or so, it's come from Australia. From "Wolf Creek" to "Envy" to "The Square," one thing these films don't do is bore you with what you've already seen before. Props to the Australian Film Commission for backing such ballsy work."Alexandra's Project" begins with a nicely ominous tracking shot of a suburban neighborhood, eerily offset by Graham Tardif's dark ambient film score. You know something's not quite right with either bored suburban mom Alexandra (a fearless performance by Helen Buday) or her self-absorbed businessman/husband Steve (Gary Sweet) as he sets off for work on his birthday.He plans to come home, share the fabulous news of his promotion with his wife and kids and instead...finds a vacant house with no power...except to the TV and VCR on which his wife has videotaped his birthday "present." To say more would be unfair, as this movie should be experienced with no expectations from the plot whatsoever...and trust me, you'll not expect what happens. It's sick, twisted, and yet oddly poetic in its justice.The best way to summarize it would be that it's an extension of the Peter Gallagher Watching the Tape scene from Soderbergh's 1989 indie classic "sex, lies, and videotape." It shares a lot of sensibility with that film and much of its inherent power.If you enjoy (way) offbeat thrillers and indie cinema in general, this one's a keeper.

The movie starts pretty powerful and suspenseful. But the problem is the twist in the story. And while others do talk about it here, I'm not going the spoiler road. But I will tell you, that everything falls apart with that twist. The main problem being that the viewers feelings have to change (for the characters). But it does not go the full way, so most actions seem ridiculous.Of course you could argue, that some of the things have been done in other movies, without any reasons (none that we are told or as slim as those portrayed here ... slim for the mayhem it seems to have kicked off). But we're not talking about other movies, we are talking about this one. The way the movie starts leaves a few things open. But the way it decides to go, is a path with no redemption. Still nicely done, but not my cup of tea.

No vote for this loser of a film. About this sick woman who feels she is abused and takes it out on those closest to her. Her husband and her children. I kept wishing she would pull the trigger. This guy would definitely be better off without the mousy housewife around. Actress playing the wife was so dour and sexless, you wonder what he ever saw in her in the first place. She was his sex object? Please, give us a break. Looking at her flat chested wimpy face would turn anyone off. I just didn't buy this good looking man would ever go for her. There must have been better looking women for the role. Is she the best in Australia actresses? Now Nicole Kidman would be something else. I won't mention the actress's name because I hope not to see her in films again. I mean, she's that ugly, man. Writer and director (same person) should go back to basic film study as this was just awful.

After watching this movie, I read reviews here that were very tough on Alexandra. I was two (I'm male), but upon rewatching the early scenes, I realized I missed some important clues, many of which I haven't seen in a lot of the reviews.1) Steve is clearly a sex addict. His marital behavior indicates that, as does the brief scene in a cafe with a young woman. While he did not beat Alexandra, he was pretty tough on her, and I question whether she had organisms. As I considered this, I felt more sympathy for Alexandra. 2) The symbolism of the scene where he fast-forwards through her speech on the tape is obvious in the sense that he didn't care to hear what she said. But some commented that he did not know how she felt. Perhaps he did. Perhaps she had told him, he didn't want to hear it then, and he doesn't now. 3) I believe the items in the drawer had to do with passports. Note then that as the taxi with the kids pulled away, Alexandra said good-bye with finality. I don't think she was joining those kids. The neighbor sounded German. Perhaps he arranged for them to be sent to Germany. Obviously, if she joined the kids, it's likely that somewhere along the line the kids would give away what happened. This is still a plot concern, but not as much if she never joins them. 4) The shower scene makes it pretty clear that she hates what she's doing and/or is about to do. On several levels, possibly. Her expressions make this clear, as well. It reinforces my thought that she never expect to see her kids again. It may even reflect on what she may be expecting in the future--perhaps even on the failure of her marriage. 5) On the other hand, it's hard to see how she got away with being a prostitute in that housing complex with men coming and going all day. 6) I agree that it's hard to believe Steve could be so crushed as not to call the police. Unless he has had some issue with them over his sex addiction (nothing indicated, though). 7) The cancer scene was effective, but superfluous. 8) It does seem hard to believe the kids were so well adjusted and never picked up on the tensions. All told, I'm not sure Alexandra was crazy so much as simply fed up and consumed with hatred over what she had become because of her marriage. As I said, I had more sympathy for her after rewatching the early scenes. Taking pride in being a prostitute, which she did to some extent, is not a great way to live or value oneself.