The Rage in Placid Lake

Critics Consensus

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56%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 16

80%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 5,495
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Movie Info

Australian playwright Tony McNamara makes his directorial debut with the offbeat comedy The Rage in Placid Lake, adapted from his own play The Cafe Latte Kid. In his first feature film, indie rocker Benny Lee stars as a troubled teen named Placid Lake. The child of new-agey eccentric parents (Garry McDonald and Miranda Richardson), Placid spends his childhood getting picked on by bullies. Fortunately, he finds friendship with classmate Gemma Taylor (Rose Byrne), whose father (Nicholas Hammond) pressures her to excel in school. After Placid shocks the school with his dark student film, he gets into an accident that lands him in the hospital. Upon his recovery, he reinvents himself as an conservative insurance agent and engages in an affair of sorts with emotionally detached co-worker Jane (Saskia Smith). The Rage in Placid Lake was screened at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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Cast

Benny Lee
as Placid Lake
Rose Byrne
as Gemma Taylor
Miranda Richardson
as Sylvia Lake
Garry McDonald
as Doug Lake
Christopher Stollery
as Joel
Nicholas Hammond
as Bill Taylor
Francis McMahon
as Anton
Saskia Smith
as Jane
Toby Schmiz
as Bull
Nathan Dean
as Lachie
Stephen James King
as Angus
Socratis Otto
as Bozo
Jordan Brooking
as Young Placid
Eleeza Hooker
as Young Gemma
Claire Danes
as Girl at Seminar
Ben Lee
Jesse Spence
Nathaniel Dean
Simone Cullinan
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Critic Reviews for The Rage in Placid Lake

All Critics (16) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (7)

View All Critic Reviews (16)

Audience Reviews for The Rage in Placid Lake

  • Jul 04, 2012
    Very witty comedy. Now where did Benny Lee go after his performance here..Lake Placid?
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Jan 23, 2009
    A terrific coming of age story about a kid who really doesn't fit in anywhere. A brilliant look at finding one's place in the world. Placid Lake (Ben Lee) is a goofy, free-spirited, creative kid who tries to make it in the corporate world and to suppress his artistic side. His BFF Gemma (the beautiful Rose Byrne) is a brilliant straight-laced kid destined for great things. Will they embrace who they are (and each other) or will they conform to society's pressures and live lives of quiet desparation? This was laugh out loud funny and heart-breakingly sad and in the end, quite an entertaining film. Natasha Richardson was brilliant as Placid's hippy-dippy, new age, laisse-fare mother, and Claire Danes graced the screen with a brief, one-line appearance. But Lee and Byrnes make the film worth the time to watch it. One finds oneself rooting for them as individuals and as a couple. Great fun!
    Mark A Super Reviewer
  • Dec 15, 2007
    Somewhat silly movie. After being picked on his whole school existence, Placid Lake decides to starts work in a 9-5 job just to spite his hippie parents. Placid's best friend (Gemma) seems to know him better than Placid does himself. The Aussie accents give away the origin of the movie.
    Red L Super Reviewer
  • Apr 13, 2007
    harmless, fun, off-beat coming-of-age story with a few quirks
    chase _ Super Reviewer
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