This is a triumphant feature debut from South Australian writer/director Kelly Schilling, who reinvents the gal-pal road movie with her story of Chloe Bradley (Melina Vidler), doing her best to support her sick mother, Sharon Bradley (Marta Dusseldorp), while making a complete break from her own complicated domestic situation.
It is not really like, Thelma & Louise, but I got the same ‘I’m loving this’ vibe as I did when I saw Thelma & Louise thirty-something years ago. With or Without You reinvents the innovative Ridley Scott 1991 gal-pal trope to reveal a believably complex and beautifully real mother-daughter relationship.
Played by the truly dynamic duo of Dusseldorp and Vidler, who each inhabit this complex relationship and their individually challenged characters; their work superbly sells the tale Schilling deftly steers into completely fresh territory. Mother Sharon and Chloe, her daughter, want to rescue her mum, who drinks too much. They share inbuilt habits, experiences of life imploding; family break-up. Still dreamers and lovers, but realists of life.
The rapport between Chloe and Sharon and their commitment drives the story, the naturally comical shorthand between them makes for some laughs, as does the situation of a daughter on the run, with a mother apt to abandon her at any moment, dark as that seems, is played supremely well by Vidler. Schilling’s scenes with Chloe mothering her mother nail it, evocatively well, tough love included more than once throughout the film.
There is a realistic and steady balance between action, comedy, drama, and surprisingly, romance, accomplished. The plot is something of a modern epic poem. Like all good road movies, it sets off with a firm footing on an authentic emotional journey, through a place we know and love. With or Without You has a lot to say in many subtle ways, and is happily devoid of any didactic or preachy syrupy nonsense. The writer/director drew from life experiences to create the story, and this is likely why the situations feel so emotionally gripping.
Chloe reluctantly collects Dalu Edozie (Albert Mwangi), a gentlemanly student of medicine from West Africa, of no fixed address, into her vehicle, along for the ride. Dalu goes from being a passenger with the two women to becoming an ally until Chloe questions his motives and lacks trust in Dalu. With or Without You, like many a good road movie, slips from one genre to another, in this case shifting via a chemistry that blooms between Chloe and Dalu into a romance, touchingly handled by Vidler and Mwangi.
Some well-placed comic moments, brilliantly understated by Mwangi as Dalu, who is excellent, adding a perfect foil, support act, and eventually romantic lead for Chloe, egged on by Sharon, who has eyes on a man of her own.
A supporting cast of characters also believably inhabit the film with memorable performances from Celine O’Leary, Chris Gun, and Martin Sacks among them.
Facing every harsh reality of life, the journey along the road with Sharon, Chloe, and Dalu is one that ultimately celebrates the bonds that offer hope.
Congratulations to Producers Su Armstrong and Carolyn Johnson, to Schilling and her D.O.P, a winner of multiple Australian Cinematographers Society’s Gold Awards, Michael Tessari, for the overall view, and Production Designer Bec Francis for the look, Sound Designer Michael Darren, and Composer Amanda Brown. The whole team deserves praise. I loved the story, loved the ending.
The film will be released for Mother’s Day 2025.
