In some respects, John Duigan's fairytale has a lot in common with Hughes' 'The Breakfast Club', exposing the audience to the classically subversive nature of the true adolescent. Both films have the power to put viewers of all ages (once again) through the agony of young insecurity. Adults symbolize violence and corruption whilst teens form the embodiment of innocence and purity. We hence sympathize with them, not only because of their well-put comments, but also due to their ability to nostalgically move.The way in which 'Flirting' especially distinguishes itself from 'The Breakfast Club' is its far greater, dreamlike quality. Two private schools (one for boys and one for girls) sit on the opposite banks of a lake in New South Wales, Australia. At night, the misty lake is lit by a full moon, an occurrence which seems to put the film in another dimension. Especially later on, when the hero of the story is seen crossing the vast waters in a rowing boat.The year is 1965, and the strict policies of the schools prohibits nearly all contact between the sexes of the separate institutions. However, due to the extreme curiosity concerning sexuality and its subsequent hormonal antics, one early relationship manages to develop between the Australian Danny Embling (Noah Taylor) and Thandiwe Adjewa (Thandie Newton), who is born of a Ugandan father and a Kenyan-British mother. Their romantic fumbling ranges from readings of Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus to the discovery of each others cultures, and from the sharing of a first cigarette to the fulfillment of the youths' ultimate desire.When political turmoil starts tearing up her father's home country, including his political position, Thandiwe immediately feels the strong intention to be with him. She and Danny are eventually driven apart, but in the cool way, only achievable by adolescents.The cast of 'Flirting' is phenomenal. Noah Taylor ('Shine') and Thandie Newton ('Mission: Impossible II', 'Crash', this being her first acting job) already show incredible potential which, like most good, young actors, seems to entice the viewer on a far higher level than a lot of their later, 'adult' work. The supporting work by, among others, Nicole Kidman (at the age of 24) and a nearly unrecognizable Naomi Watts provide solid reasoners during the unfolding love story. The soundtrack conveys the intensely romantic feelings in a brilliant way, including works by Duke Ellington, Reg Presley and Little Richard. The fairytale feel of the movie is provided, as mentioned before, by the visual side of things. Geoff Burton's cinematography and Laurie Faen's art direction are of special note here, respectively contributing to the films - at times eerie, at times emotive - tone and its saccharin private school-backdrop.This is a brilliant little movie worth watching. Go ahead, you'll enjoy it.

I saw this movie today for the very first time and it was amazing. I've never seen a movie so well put together, even young adults as myself can relate or even fantasize with the plot itself. the character of Danny is every mysterious person who is opened to a whole new world by this young African girl. I really like this movie and i wish they made more movies like this now in days. I hope they remake this movie with a modern twist but still with the old charm. I really enjoyed this movie and it seems like a movie that i would watch in English class. I loved it and am hoping to share it among friends.it was great. My cousin also watched it with me and was like, "wow i have a thing for that Danny character!"

This is Nicole Kidman's first major film role, and she is remarkable. The way she develops her character really has you going. I won't say more except that you'll love her. Taylor and Newton do a fantastic job in their coming-of-age roles. Newton is absolutely beautiful -- I fell in love. The screenplay has excellent depth and is uproariously funny in parts, enraging, tender and even tear-jerking. It even has an underlying theme with incisive international political insights into events in Africa during the Sixties. Agree with the politics or not, it has a lot to say -- really a thinking man's film.Some guys may dismiss it as a chick flick, but if so, it's one of the best I've seen. What may surprise many is that it even has one of the best boxing scenes I have witnessed on celluloid. Yes, the story is Kafkaesque in a way, but it is also terribly sweet. Taylor's lead role (Danny) is one of the most original I've seen on film -- the school nerd who is really a poet with more character than the rest of the school combined (including the staff). The entire film is his recollection of events, much of it narrated by him as though he'd written the screenplay.When I saw it a couple of years ago, I wondered where it had been all my life. This is a must- see hidden jewel like Denzel Washington's "Mississippi Masala." It may not be as hot as MM, but it comes damned close in parts.

I liked this movie a lot. I do not think that it is just for teens. The acting is very good. Noah Taylor does a very good job in this movie. He is a very good under rated actor. Thandie Newton is also very good in her role. Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts are good also.