After a town discovers their football team is falling apart, they need fresh leadership to rebuild the organisation or else they will have no choice but to let go of the legacy of having a football team. The town soon decides to take a vote, and they select a man who has had a bad name in the community due to his past, Troy. Troy soon accepts the town’s offers as he was a pro footballer in the history. While he isn’t a fan of the idea at first, he still takes as he knows some people within the town don’t think much of him.
Troy begins to take action to save the team, starting with asking refugees within the community to play ball. The team will need to learn about each other and how, despite their differences, to work together as a real team, overcoming challenges and mockery. The Merger is dialogue and character-heavy.
We are introducing a wide range of characters from the football team alone. I found it humorous and rather enjoyable watching the characters learn from each other of their past experiences and also seeing people within the football team teach one another about their upbringing, culture and beliefs. The film has some reliable messages about forgiveness and only learning to accept one another for who they are despite one’s past or nationally.
While I love the range of characters, the film’s most significant issue is giving the audience enough information about who these characters are. Even from the film’s 1st act, there like isn’t much to work with. This can be said about most of the characters, including the lead, Troy. I must also give a massive shout out to the excellent performance done by the young actor Rafferty Grierson who managed to bring many heartfelt moments. I’m sure there are bigger things ahead for this young man!
Overall, this is an average feel-good Aussie film. This is a film that manages to provide good morals and themes, including moving forward in life without the past holding you back, accepting others, and the list goes on. The Merger has come to Australian cinemas rather quietly and under the radar, which is unfortunate considering how definite the plot and storylines are.
5.1/10
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Review Written by Peter Walkden
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