Talk about form fitting function in filmmaking – The Independent is a grassroots, DIY independent movie about a grassroots, DIY independent political candidate.
Our unlikely hero is Marty, who has quit work at the local supermarket to canvas the good people of Richmond in inner-city Melbourne. His plan is to walk every street with his distinctive purple shopping jeep and ask every single resident what they want.
He's then going to run for office as an independent candidate, using the people's concerns as his platform.
But Marty gets an unexpected shot at parliament when a by-election is called. If he wins, he'll hold the balance of power in the state. As such, political jackals descend to take advantage of Marty and use him for their own ends.
The Independent doesn't tell us much new about politics. We all know that it's a grubby business where money and character flaws mean lofty ideals get stomped on. But Marty does reflect these notions neatly in microcosm and The Independent benefits from strong, natural performances.
That said, I am proposing a moratorium on the mockumentary format, now overused to the point of cliché. Unless it's in the service of biting satire, let's dump the fake reality format – we get enough of it on TV.
The Independent's use of moc-doc means most of the film plays like a very believable, very low-key documentary in which not much happens. But then too much happens as a series of unlikely events twist the film into unlikely shapes.
While a commendable low-budget effort this is an awkward blend of the drably realistic and the deeply unrealistic.
The Independent doesn't quite get my vote, but I'd assign it preferences. The film rates two and a half stars.
