The Jammed (2007)

Sadly Over-hyped

From my favorite movies..

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Low budget movie, yes it is, almost nonexistent in the couple of years that followed it's making. Sex slave films are a dime a dozen these days. So many of em' tackle the subject, even more so in the last couple of years, where we'd had some that mirror others. The vibe I picked up off The Jammed, a movie that really does try, was a real struggle in getting it made, where the low budged aura here is painfully patent. There are some painfully heartbreaking sad scenes and some intoxicating and scary moments, in a well made and quite dramatic film. The two best performances here, is that of Emma Lung, as the main slave who just makes us feel so much compassion for her wronged, throw in the two hard basket, predicament. The cards are really stacked against this poor lass. Her agony, and her emotions like sadness, shock, are so heartbreaking and convincingly real, it's truly unsettling, some moments pretty hard to bare, thanks to her great acting, where I was encapsulated by her performance. The other excellent performance lies in Saskia Burmeister who plays the rebellious, Russian immigrant and wild pro, just what the film calls for. She's darn bloody sexy too, scoring most of the clients. Like Pulp Fiction, and other type films, the film starts at the end with Lung, who's just gone through so much hell, now in customs, after earlier in the story of the film, being saved by a social worker. Here, her savior seems to no avail, when you see what Lung goes through in the interrogation which to be honest, made me sickeningly angry. The social worked played by an actress that much resembles Belinda Mcclory from Redball, is implored by an Asian woman to track down her daughter, the other pro in the new trio who are being transported down to Melbourne. The pimps whatever, are as despicable as we imagined, which it was good to see the main one towards the end of the film, take a knifing. One of the younger acquaintances actually has a heart, and a soft spot for the more introverted pro, the daughter of the searching mother. The clients in this too, are not all made out to be bastards, either. The Jammed is a quite a compelling drama, worth a look, yes but is more fittingly suited to more discreet cinema, as it has more straight to video appeal. The film, about an all too common trade, makes for an effective drama though, where for Lung, it's an all too real painfully revolving door.

What a shockingly stunning film! It's still going around and around in my head and it's a struggle to know what to write.It's always a shock to discover that films like these are based on real events, I like to think that people are better than that. But it's a well written, superbly acted, thrilling ride that doesn't sugar coat any of the issues. Emma Lung, Veronica Sywak, Saskia Burmeister and Sun Park give emotional, brave performances. Not for the faint-hearted, but so compelling and important. Just don't hold your breath for a happy ending.Full credit to Dee McLachlan for a remarkably real and moving film experience.

I wasn't even aware of the movie until I saw a review of it on 'At the movies" with Margaret and David. They gave it four stars each so I had to check it out for myself. This movie was a pretty intense movie to watch but was a great movie. I'm not sure if I'm shocked by the movie and its contents but it definitely an eye opener. The movie was really well done. Could have added maybe some more facts about the illegal sex slave industry and statistics also. It seems as though it could be anyone running the show which is a little scary. Not sure why it was only shown at Nova Cinemas but I heard there weren't much support for the movie from lots of people to show it. Recommend to everyone to watch.

The Jammed has created much controversy here in Melbourne, Australia - where it was shot.For some bizarre reason it was rejected by the Melbourne Int'l Film Festival (MIFF) organisers this year - very strange since they brag they promote and support the Australian Film Industry.It has been given a VERY LIMITED cinema release - 10 days in one cinema only.It has not been entered in the 2007 AFI awards (probably because the makers have to pay a $1000 entry fee or because of deadline issues...).Some film critics have labelled it a dog and others are waxing lyrical on it as being the best Australian film of 2007.I saw it today in a sold out session and although sitting in row 2 - i found it to be a very well made and acted film. Not a masterpiece but still worth seeing.Considering I sat through some questionable films at the recent MIFF and sure to sit through a few duds at the AFI festival starting this weekend - I am surprised a film of this quality - and examining a very important topic - has been treated so poorly here in Melbourne.