Three Chords and the Truth – REVIEW
Once in a while a small Aussie movie produced on a shoestring budget is released into cinemas that doesn’t only touch the heart, but also carries a heartwarming message for audiences.
‘Letting go of somebody you love may be difficult, but you must allow them to leave’, is the universal message delivered in this poignant drama which is inspired by Brisbane musician Jackie Marshall’s own life story.
Jackie Marshall who wrote the music and lyrics to all the songs in the film also plays the role of Angie Calvin, a terminally ill and lonely musician who was once said to be the female Bob Dylan. She has fallen on hard times and is determined to complete her final album before succumbing to bone cancer.
She takes in Ruby, a homeless teenager, who is fighting her own demons, grieving the passing of her mother. A therapeutic friendship develops and Angie teachers her to write music and also to channel her adverse experiences and emotions through songs which aid in healing the past.
Audiences sit through Ruby’s first song writing session and gradually learn about the special moments she spent with her family, the happiness and ultimately the grief that adversely altered her father’s temperament.
Ruby tells Angie, “I haven’t felt so safe in a long time – I’m glad I met you,” which reinforces the blooming friendship.
Quintessentially, this movie highlights that low budget does not mean low quality. It feels low budget and looks low budget with many sequences resembling a documentary style of filmmaking, but this actually adds to the dark and raw reality of the narrative.
Audiences should be drawn in, hook, line, and sinker from the onset, by the solid production values and good performances by Jackie Marshall and Maisie Owens (Bump).
At times this highly emotional movie feels like a live gig at the pub, but as a whole, a fragmented narrative held together by many musical interludes. Jackie, who is a survivor of multiple cancers is a brilliant musician whose songs aid in the story telling process.
The love for this project can be felt throughout and even from Richard Wilkins’ performance who surprises in a minor role. Unfortunately, enriching and quasi tearjerker movies are few and far in between – they rarely make movies like this anymore.
Three Chords and the Truth is a tender and heartfelt movie that should stay in the hearts of moviegoers long after they leave the cinema.
★★★1/2
In cinemas nationally from October 5
October 5 Dendy Newtown & Q&A 6:30pm
October 20, 26, 28 Riverside Parramatta
