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In a country where the cult of the first-time filmmaker still holds a lot of sway, Sandra Sciberras makes an impressive debut with The Caterpillar Wish. This atmospheric tale of loss and longing has a solid emotional core, even if (as is often the case with first films) some aspects could have been done better.
Working from her own script, Sciberras crafts an intriguing tale of a girl seeking to discover the secrets of her past as a way of moving forward; and in the process, provides an example for some adults who've lost the will to look ahead. If that sounds a bit melodramatic, it probably is; but Sciberras' fluid directorial style elevates this above movie-of-the-week status.
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Susie Porter is in slightly unfamiliar territory as single mum Susan, but makes her entirely credible. Robert Mammone tries hard (with quite a deal of success) as Stephen, even if the character is somewhat under-written; and the same can be said for Philip Quast as Carl.
