Search - Dead Letter Office on DVD

Finally we can see it

ChickFlickChick | Atlanta, GA | 10/15/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I saw this movie more or less by accident on the IFC channel ages ago. After an extensive search I discovered that it could only be purchased from an Australian dealer and was only in a format that would not play on US electronics. Thus I am thrilled to finally see this little gem on the US market and be able to get a copy of my own. It's not for everyone, Netflix it before you commit. But if you like Indie, if you like Australian (specifically Miranda Otto who you can also check in Danny Deckchair),if you like a little summer/fall romance angst and a little cultural void/employer roadblock to a relationship thing you'll love it. It's a sweet little movie about a woman on a quest that has consumed her but in the end it was the journey that was the real answer."

Another Quirky Film from Australia - Miranda Otto is the rea

Steven I. Ramm | Phila, PA USA | 01/23/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Another Quirky Film from Australia - Miranda Otto is the reason to watch

This 1998 Australian/BBC co-production hooked me from it's trailer. I wanted to know more. Actually I was curious how the postal service "Dead Letter Office" works.

I'm not sure I learned that much about the postal system (in US or Australia) - except that in 1998 they were replacing humans with computers and machines. But I did learn at least something about like under the junta in Chile in the early 1990s. "What?" you say. "Chile???". Yep. The manager of the small Australian post office emigrated from Chile and his background and history have much to do with his relationship with the new clerk played by Otto (best know for two "Lord of the Rings" films).

There are great moments in this little film but I often thought it was trying to be a tragedy, drama and comedy without staying in one place. The other cast members in the DLO look like refugees from TV's "The Office" and I could just never warm up to the Chilean manager. But whenever Otto was on the screen, things perked up.

This is a gentle "little" film with no nudity or swear words. Within the firsr five minutes there is a sex scene (with Otto on top though, as I said, no nudity). This seemed way out of place. I'm not against sex in films - far from it - but this scene did nothing to advance the plot and added for "shock value".

No award winning performances here but certainly a nice 90-minute film that will have to fight to find its audience. I enjoyed watching it.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"
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