Although not strictly biographical, The 1994 film Sirens borrows a chapter from the life and times of early 19th Century Australian Artist Norman Lindsay, famous for his controversial nude paintings. This film is based, in part, on historical facts surrounding Lindsay's life and works, in what can be classified as a sort of hedonistic dreamscape.

Set in the lush tropics of New South Wales, this Eden-like landscape is ripe with natural beauty, and was actually filmed on land once owned by Lindsay. The film boasts of extravagant green vistas and glowing sunsets against the backdrop of Australia's Blue Mountains.

An Anglican Minister, Anthony Champion (Hugh Grant) and his wife Estella, (Tara Fitzgerald) have been asked by the Bishop to pay a visit to Lindsay (Sam Neill) in and attempt to persuade him to remove a certain pen drawing entitled The Crucified Venus from an upcoming exhibit. This drawing is considered a sacrilege, depicting a nude woman on the cross in place of Jesus. The provincial English couple is quite unprepared for the seductiveness of the erotic surroundings in Lindsay's forbidden paradise.

Lindsay's voluptuous models, Sheela (Elle Mc Pherson), Pru (Kate Fischer) and Giddy (Portia De Rossi) spend their mornings, swimming nude in a secluded pond on Lindsay's estate. Sheela is relentless in her attempts to lure Estella into the morning ritual, exposing her to the trio's libidinous sisterhood. Estella notices a strikingly handsome young blind man who visits the women one morning. She is entranced by his physical beauty and innocence. The young man has long been the sexual fantasy of the youthful Giddy, who longs to lose her virginity to the elusive Adonis.

Anthony is too busy debating with Lindsay over the Church's repressive tendencies to notice Estella's dalliance until it is too late. In one sequence, Lindsay uses the age old argument that religion is to be blamed for the holy wars and crusades. Anthony's curt reply asserts " That is just absurd, the Church can hardly be blamed for all of the atrocities committed in the name of religion."

The entire plot revolves around the "Siren's" attempts to seduce the Champions during their dutiful visit, by exposing them to their free- spirited, passion filled existence. Estella is more easily influenced than her fastidious husband.

This film is jam packed with religious imagery of slithering serpents, ripening fruit, and the Passion of Christ. Yet all of the stylish atmosphere and imagery cannot make up for the fact that the film is lacking in depth and plot development.

Hugh Grant is at his bungling best in his role as the timid, restrained, English moralist. Sam Neill delivers an excellent counterpoint as the liberated, free- thinking, Lindsay with whom he constantly engages in good natured debate. Tara Fitzgerald is never quite as convincing as she straddles both sides of the fence. Even Elle Mc Pherson does a credible job as the decadent Sheela. Portia La Rossi is scintillating as the virginal nymph, Giddy.

A visit to The Norman Lindsay Website can best summarize Lindsay's basic philosophy:

"A man with natural artistic talent and persuasions, an awkward and liberated imagination, and a shameless determination to free the human spirit."

Sirens is an artful attempt to express Lindsay's hedonistic philosophy. Unfortunately, it falls prey to it's own excesses, and is little more than a luscious treatise on self-indulgence.





Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age