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In one of the film’s flashes forward, Sandra Sprague (Lynette Curran) visits her son Brett (David Wenham) in his prison cell. He is upset when she comes alone. He had asked her to bring Michelle, his girlfriend, but she wants nothing to do with him. When Sandra becomes emotional, he suggests she come back when she’s less upset. Sandra says she doesn’t think she will be coming again. As she leaves, Brett calls her back, but she keeps going.
Curator’s notes
The stillness of the scene contrasts with the movement in the scenes shot in the house. Lynette Curran’s heartbreaking performance, one of the best of her career, gives a terrible sense of her confusion, loss and guilt. The tension between her and Brett, which he is unable to resolve with violence, is one of the great mysteries of the film. She is quite possibly the only woman he has ever felt love for – but it’s mixed with contempt and great reserves of unresolved anger. She gets the only resolution possible at this moment – a decision to cut herself off from her first-born son.
