We’ve all been there — that bittersweet moment when you reconnect with an old friend. Maybe it’s someone you thought you’d never lose touch with, someone who once felt like your closest ally through life’s chaotic teenage or early adult years. For me, this movie hit painfully close to home. It reminded me of a reunion I shared with a dear friend not long ago — a woman who, just three months after we reconnected, tragically took her own life. That memory brought a lump to my throat as I watched the opening scenes, but at the same time, the film sparked a warmth deep inside me. It brought back the joy of the moments we shared, laughter echoing in quiet corners, the vulnerability of honest conversations, and a bond I will cherish forever.
The film, Fwends, directed by Sophie Somerville, opens in Melbourne with Em (played beautifully by Emmanuelle Mattana) taking a much-needed weekend off from her demanding legal career in Sydney to visit Jessie (Melissa Gan). These two have kept in touch over the years, but it’s clear they haven’t truly spent time together in a long while. What starts as casual catch-up chatter about work, coffee, and life gradually unravels, exposing the fissures that have grown in their friendship.
From the outset, Em and Jessie’s reunion feels real — awkward moments, tentative smiles, and that tentative dance of trying to reconnect with someone who was once an integral part of your life but has since drifted away. The film’s dialogue is a masterclass in capturing the rhythms of genuine conversation. Mattana and Gan’s performances are understated yet deeply resonant, their banter often feeling as natural as overhearing two friends on a train, filled with pauses, quick laughter, and moments charged with unspoken meaning.
As their weekend unfolds, we learn about the struggles Em and Jessie carry beneath the surface. Em reveals the harsh realities of facing sexual harassment at her workplace, while Jessie opens up about a painful recent breakup and the limbo she feels in her personal life. These revelations add emotional depth, transforming what could have been a light reunion into a nuanced exploration of friendship, resilience, and change.
The film’s setting—the bustling, ever-changing streets of Melbourne—becomes a quiet yet potent character in its own right. Through Carter Looker’s camera lens, the city’s green spaces, skyscrapers, and side streets frame the unfolding story with both beauty and intimacy. Whether it’s a scene by a tram stop or a heated exchange in the botanical gardens, the cinematography brings a tactile realism that grounds the emotional journey of Em and Jessie.
What truly sets Fwends apart is its honest and compassionate portrayal of growing apart without bitterness or blame. Life often pulls people in different directions, and this film doesn’t shy away from that reality. Instead, it shows that friendships can evolve, that distance doesn’t always mean the end, and that sometimes, the quiet moments of acceptance and understanding are the most profound.
The performances of Mattana and Gan anchor the film’s emotional core. Emmanuelle Mattana’s portrayal of Em is layered—tough yet vulnerable, carrying the weight of ambition and disillusionment with grace. Melissa Gan’s Jessie is equally compelling, her character’s struggle with loneliness and change rendered with subtlety and heart. Together, they embody the complex dance of reconnecting after time and trauma have reshaped who they once were.
Fwends also carries an undercurrent of hope and joy, reminding us that even amidst pain, there are moments worth holding onto. The laughter, the shared highs and lows, and the spontaneous adventures throughout the city serve as a testament to the enduring power of human connection.
Ultimately, Fwends is a quiet, heartfelt meditation on friendship’s fragile beauty. It refuses melodrama in favor of small, honest moments. This film resonated deeply with me—not just as a story on screen, but as a reminder to cherish the bonds that shape our lives, even as everything around us changes.
Director: Sophie Somerville
Cast: Emmanuelle Mattana, Melissa Gan
Writers: Emmanuelle Mattana, Melissa Gan, Sophie Somerville
Producers: Sarah Hegge-Taylor, Sophie Somerville, Carter Looker
Cinematographer: Carter Looker
Composer: Mike Tilbrook
Editor: Sophie Somerville