Movie Review: ‘Colourblind’ – A Mix of Intrigue and Missed Opportunities

Australian Indie filmmaker Nathan Hill’s ‘Colourblind‘ revisits familiar terrain for the filmmaker and actor, as he once again steps into the role of a private investigator. Following his previous portrayal in ‘Jasper’, his performance as Jaffy Rotunda delivers a layered depiction of a private eye who is both meticulous in his work and emotionally conflicted when faced with a morally challenging case.

Jaffy Rotunda is introduced as a seasoned investigator who thrives on professionalism and efficiency. His reputation is well-earned, and he approaches each case with a calculated detachment that keeps him grounded. However, the film begins to unravel the complexities of his character when his contacted about a case involving Trix Baxter (played by Anica Brown), who is desperate to find her possibly suicidal sister, Sia (played Anne Gauthier). Despite his girlfriend’s disapproval and subsequent departure, Jaffy agrees to take on the job, seeing it as a final assignment to secure their financial stability.

As Jaffy immerses himself in Sia’s daily life, the once-clear lines between his professional obligations and personal emotions blur. His eventual decision to engage with her directly sparks a transformation in him, as he begins to see Sia not just as a subject of his investigation but as someone he deeply cares about. This emotional evolution is further complicated by the involvement of another investigator, Mr. X (played by Nicholas Wightman), who is also tailing Sia on behalf of Mrs. Baxter (played by Jane Badler), the sisters’ enigmatic mother. The tension between the two investigators adds a layer of intrigue, particularly given their shared history. This subplot could have been more fleshed out but disappointingly, it isn’t delved much into.

Jane Badler in Colourblind

One of the film’s more intriguing elements is its breakdown of Jaffy’s character through therapy sessions. Early in the film, Jaffy’s therapist asks him, “Tell me, what is it like to be colourblind?” His response is, “I see the world in a different way, I guess. My own way.” This seems to present a thematic foundation for the film. The title ‘Colourblind’, now feels like a metaphor for Jaffy’s perspective on life shaped by his emotional detachment from his work as well as his unique way of interpreting the world around him.

However, it feels like this intriguing theme is not as consistently explored as one might hope, leaving its potential somewhat untapped.

The film’s visual style is another notable aspect. Hill opts for a pale, muted colour palette, seemingly to reflect Jaffy’s colourblindness. While this choice is conceptually interesting, it falters in execution. The desaturation extends to every frame in the film and it does not just capture Jaffy‘s perspective. This disconnect undermines what could have been a very creative choice but rather limits it to be just a stylistic choice on the aesthetic feel of the film.

The acting performances in ‘Colourblind’ are among the best I have seen in Hill’s catalogue of films. The cast delivers their lines with confidence and brings a believable emotional range to their characters. Anne Gauthier’s portrayal of Sia for instance is particularly compelling, capturing the fragility and mystery that make her character central to the story. Nathan Hill himself delivers a strong performance as Jaffy, effectively balancing the character’s professional demeanour with his growing vulnerability.

Anne Gauthier in Colourblind

Despite these strengths, ‘Colourblind‘ suffers from pacing issues. The narrative is punctuated by numerous random shots of characters just walking. The shots often are from multiple angles and add little to advance the film’s plot. These sequences feel like padding to extend the runtime to feature length. This choice detracts from the story’s focus and contributes to the sense that the plot, though well-crafted, is ultimately too straightforward and predictable.

In several ways, this is a film of contrasts. On one hand, it shows Nathan Hill‘s growth as a filmmaker with improved performances and a more polished narrative structure as compared to his earlier works. On the other hand, it still isn’t the best in terms of execution leaving several of its narrative themes as well as aesthetic choices underdeveloped.

The result is a film that entertains and is just enough to waste time with but doesn’t quite achieve its full potential. For this reason, I would score this film 6/10. For fans of Nathan Hill’s previous works, which I am sure there are, ‘Colourblind‘ presents a familiar yet slightly more refined experience.

While the film showcases improved performances and a thought-provoking premise, it struggles to maintain its momentum and fully realize its potential, especially for viewers who have a more sophisticated taste.