I haven’t seen the original version of Patrick, and had only heard of it thanks to Mark Hartley’s breakout documentary, Not Quite Hollywood. Here, Hartley delivers his first fictional feature, and ironically chooses to remake one of the under-seen Ozploitation films he started out championing. That said, his film is a joyously camp celebration of the genre, employing stars such as Charles Dance and composer Pino Donaggio, and infusing every scene with an overtly melodramatic and gothic tone that makes the whole venture hugely entertaining. Add to all this an impressive central performance from Sharni Vinson (You’re Next), and able support from Rachel Griffiths, Peta Sergeant and Jackson Gallagher as the eponymous comatose antagonist, and the result is a knowing, tongue-in-cheek late night chiller.
Patrick
