Four of a Kind

Four of a Kind, a unique 2008 thriller-drama from Australia, presented by director Fiona Cochrane and starring Peta Brady, Nina Landis and Leverne McDonnell. The Australian indie feature succeeds in fusing elements of mystery, psychological drama, and revelation wrapped in the complexities of women’s lives and relationships, a rare approach in the predominantly male-driven narrative world of cinema.

The intriguing narrative strictly revolves around the story of four women; their lives, deeply personal secrets, and how these individual secrets cross paths with each other. Imagine the tension and thrill of Confessions of a Shopaholic intertwined with the dark and underlying troubles of Gone Girl, and you have Four of a Kind.

At the heart of the narrative is Detective Gould (Leverne McDonnell), a shrewd and experienced investigator who examines the circumstances of a curious death of a notable academic. As she tries to unravel the unexpected and suspicious death of a university professor, she unwittingly unveils the hidden and private lives of four women. These four women include Gail (Peta Brady), a nurse who cared for the deceased professor, Sonia (Nina Landis), a respected university lecturer and an old friend of the professor, the professor’s assistant Jen (Lauren Clair), and Chantal (Felicity Steel), his troubled wife.

The movie offers an audacious storytelling format that is as bold as its plot. Intertwining narratives unravel as the film progresses in a non-linear fashion through a series of individual, yet interconnected monologues. This structural gamble adds a tantalizing layer of suspense and confusion to the story, driving the audience to consistently question what they know and what is yet to be revealed.

Each woman shares her story, allowing the audience to hear their deeply intimate confessions. As these stories unfold, they provide insight into their personal lives while subtly suggesting their possible involvement or link with the professor’s death. The women share their experiences, their desires, heartaches, and the burdens of their secrets. From love affairs to personal abuses to professional rivalry, these women perceive the world differently, and these perceptions shape their actions and decisions.

The performances offered by the cast are commendable, particularly Peta Brady as Gail, whose sincere portrayal of a nurse tasked with resuscitating the professor ignites a spark of empathy in the audience’s heart. Leverne McDonnell deserves special mention for her compelling performance as a detective, carrying the weight of the investigation and story on her shoulders. Through her striking display of determination and curiosity, the audience is pulled deeper into the mystery.

Meanwhile, the production values of Four of a Kind echo its narrative approach. The film’s subdued color palette, pointed cinematography, and unnerving score aid the unravelling, dark and increasingly obsessive narratives of these four women. It’s a clever and calculated emphasis on the dramatic tension of the mystery that constantly keeps you on the edge of your seat.

To support the story and performances, there are strategically placed motifs and repeated symbols in the form of playing cards. These symbolically represent the four principal characters, further enriching the narrative layers and ensuring the tension is meticulously sustained throughout the run time.

Four of a Kind is more than just a crime thriller. Exploring the depths of human secrecy, deceit, and complex relationships, it becomes a sociological study of isolation, friendships, professional rivalry and personal obsession, framed within a broader, more ominous landscape. This movie serves as a microcosm of vulnerability that showcases not just the female perspective in society, but the universal human struggle of concealing and revealing secrets. It is a thought-provoking piece that will keep you pondering over the depth and intricate character relationships long after the credits roll.