Somersault (2004)
81%RT Audience Score: 71%
Awards & Nominations: 41 wins & 15 nominations
Somersault, a film that has been praised for its authenticity and sensitivity, is a bold and visionary artistic statement from director Cate Shortland. Newcomer Abbie Cornish delivers a powerful performance as Heidi, a character who pulls us in and makes us recoil all at once. While some critics have found fault with the film’s plot, it is undeniable that Shortland manages to express Heidi’s inner journey in a very powerful way. With its exploration of the fragility of youth and moral landmines, Somersault is a psychological drama that registers with audiences and critics alike. Overall, this film is a gosh-wow debut that is both heartfelt and painful, exhilarating and truthful, and a must-see for anyone who appreciates authentic storytelling.
Somersault is a film that manages to capture the fragility of youth in a way that is both powerful and relatable. Abbie Cornish’s performance is a revelation, bringing a sense of empathy and transparency to a character that is navigating a minefield of moral dilemmas. While the plot may be a bit of a riddle, the film’s atmosphere and heartfelt story make it a must-see for anyone who has ever felt lost or uncertain in their own journey. Overall, Somersault is a generous and authentic portrayal of the human experience, and a bold artistic statement from director Cate Shortland.
Production Company(ies)
C J Entertainment, Barunson E& A
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2004
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 45m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 28, 2005 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 25, 2006
Genre(s)
Drama/Lgbtq+
Keyword(s)
starring Abbie Cornish, Sam Worthington, Lynette Curran, Erik Thomson, Hollie Andrew, Leah Purcell, directed by Cate Shortland, written by Cate Shortland, drama, LGBTQ+, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Lisa Kennedy, Kimberley Jones, Chris Vognar, G Allen Johnson, Andrew Sarris, Steve Murray, Carlos Bonfil, Richard Propes, Leigh Paatsch, Sarah Ward, Cole Smithey, MPAA rating, Magnolia Pictures, Dolby Digital, coming-of-age, teenage girl, relationship, tourist community, Jindabyne, Australia, mother’s boyfriend, job, normal home life, moral landmines, sexuality, immaturity, disconnected, lonely human beings, autistic boy, sensuality, insecurity, demons, anxieties
Worldwide gross: $1,482,316
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $2,338,333
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,369
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 254,998
US/Canada gross: $92,214
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $145,466
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,598
US/Canada opening weekend: $21,566
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $34,020
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,340
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Sam Worthington – Joe
Lynette Curran – Irene
Erik Thomson – Richard
Hollie Andrew – Bianca
Leah Purcell – Diane
Cate Shortland – Director/Writer
Director(s)
Cate Shortland
Writer(s)
Cate Shortland
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
41 wins & 15 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (68) | Top Critics (26) | Fresh (57) | Rotten (11)
Generous and authentic.
July 14, 2006 | Rating: 2.5/4
Lisa Kennedy
Denver Post
TOP CRITIC
It is pretty, and it stays just left of the dial of darlingness, and Cornish’s is the most goddamn, gosh-wow debut I’ve seen in years.
May 27, 2006 | Rating: 3/5
Kimberley Jones
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
[Cornish] creates a character who pulls us in and makes us recoil all at once.
May 25, 2006 | Rating: B+
Chris Vognar
Dallas Morning News
TOP CRITIC
Heartfelt, painful, exhilarating and, above all, truthful.
May 19, 2006 | Rating: 3/4
G. Allen Johnson
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
My impression remained this time around of an unfinished screenplay in which too many intervals of small talk masqueraded as the forerunners of emotional events that never materialized.
May 18, 2006
Andrew Sarris
Observer
TOP CRITIC
Heavy on atmosphere but very light on plot.
May 18, 2006 | Rating: C
Steve Murray
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
TOP CRITIC
[Director Cate] Shortland manages to express Heidi’s inner journey in a very powerful way. [Full review in Spanish]
November 9, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/5
Carlos Bonfil
La Jornada
The film is also a bold, visionary artistic statement from Cate Shortland.
September 23, 2020 | Rating: 2.5/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
Though the movie itself can be a bit of a riddle, Cornish comes up with her own powerful statement about the fragility of youth.
July 15, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
Somersault isn’t simply sensitive to the mindset of its protagonist, but rather adopts the character’s yearning, searching, testing and experimenting mood as its own.
July 20, 2018
Sarah Ward
Flicks.com.au
Newcomer Abbie Cornish is a revelation of empathy and dramatic transparency in a role riddled with moral landmines.
April 15, 2009 | Rating: B+
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
A psychological drama that registered with audiences and critics alike because of its heartfelt painful story.
January 13, 2009 | Rating: B
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews…
Plot
Coming of age: Heidi, 15, runs away from home after her mom sees her kissing mom’s boyfriend. She goes to a Snowy River resort where a vague job offer doesn’t pan out. She manages to find a place to live and a job at a convenience store. She’s between childhood
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Abbie Cornish delivers a breakout lead performance in Somersault.
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