Update: 4/5/21. Apparently “Thandie” was miscredited in this film, and as of 4/4/21, she is choosing to reclaim her actual name, Thandiwe. In the same article, by Jezebel.com, I also learned that she was sexually abused by director John Duigan while shooting Flirting. Even thirty years later this is awful news and his behavior needs to be condemned. I hope that should this film receive future attention or new physical releases his awful behavior will be mentioned and he is unable to profit. I would also hope that Thandiwe’s voice will continue to be heard and listened to.
It comes as no surprise to me that at an Australian boarding school, a young Nicole Kidman would be the prettiest student there. Nor is it a surprise that within a decade of this film, she would be one of the biggest stars on the planet and often in the discussion for Oscars. Each moment she appears on screen she is utterly captivating and commanding of your attention, and much like the young boys who take every chance they can to gawk at her, we can’t help but watch her slowly become a star. What is surprising though is that she’s not one of the main characters in Flirting.
Those honors go to a young Noah Taylor and Thandie Newton as Danny Embling and Thandiwe Adjewa, two outcasts who don’t necessarily fit in at their respective academic academies, but manage to find each other. For Danny, the problems begin with his physical stature. In a world where ability on the Rugby field matter more than his understanding of Jean-Paul Sartre, his sleight frame and tendency to stutter make him an obvious target for both his fellow students and the corporal punishment loving faculty. To his credit, he’s okay with his lot in life. He knows someone has to be the low man on the totem pole, and for most of the film he is resigned to his fate.
That changes when he meets Thandiwe, who because she’s of Ugandan descent, has trouble fitting into her school as well. While the girls aren’t quite as mean as the boys, they don’t shy away from some of the racism that can plague anyone of color. Despite her torment, she’s quite capable and confident of who she is, and to everyone’s surprise she takes a fancy of Danny.
The rest of the film focuses mainly on their burgeoning relationship and all that entails as a young teenager, where the simple act of kissing or slipping a hand under a skirt can take on a world of importance, and how they begin to assert themselves in the world.
This film has a lot to say. Along with the societal expectations we place on the young, it also takes some jabs at tradition, private school culture, and surprisingly, some geopolitical activity that eventually changes the life course for a few students. A film that was mostly about teen hijinx soon takes on a solemn tone that lets us know how fragile our lives and relationships are and how quickly that can change.
While the film has some cardboard characters, the insensitive jock, the wisecracking jerk, the bully, etc, there are also some surprises. Danny, while physically frail, isn’t afraid to stand up for his girlfriend when he feels she’s being objectified, and the aforementioned Nicola, played by Nicole Kidman, who would likely be a villain in most films. She’s beautiful, popular, and desired by essentially everyone, so it’s a refreshing surprise when she takes the side of Thandiwe at nearly every opportunity. She’s supportive of her new friend, not competitive with her, and that attitude bleeds over to her fellow students. In fact, many of the female supporting characters make the most of their short time on screen, especially Naomi Watts, who wouldn’t get her shot at fame until her amazing turn as Betty in Mulholland Drive. Between Naomi, Thandie, and Nicole, this film is a showcase for young Australian talent and should be seen by movielovers who likely missed it upon release.
Now if we could just get a release on blu-ray.
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars.
