It is a tough ask to review a film like Alexandra's Project without giving away the central theme and thereby ruining the experience. It is one of those films where it is best to go in with no real expectations, and with as little fore-knowledge as possible.

The film stars Gary Sweet (who is finally getting roles befitting his ability) as Steve, and it is his birthday. Helen Buday shines as his wife, Alexandra. They have the obligatory 2.2 children (well, two anyway), and the typical middle-class ‘white picket fence’ home. Everything seems pretty damned normal. The kids go to school, hubby goes to work, and wifey is left at home to do what housewives do (or should that be 'domestic engineers'?). Either way, the union is really only a happy one on the surface, and it is Alexandra’s way of dealing with her frustration and boredom that becomes the crux of the film. Hubby Steve does not realise there is a problem, but he is about to.

Alexandra has a project; to give Steve a birthday present he won't forget, and she succeeds brilliantly. When Steve arrives home at the end of another successful day at the office, he finds the house empty, dark, but mysteriously set up with birthday decorations such as streamers and banners. He finds the first of his presents in the form of a gift-wrapped videotape with instructions to 'play me'. He does, and his wife and smiling children are seen toasting Steve and wishing him a happy birthday. But it is when Alexandra dismisses the children and gets down to business, that Steve’s day really gets weird.

With beer in hand, and in his favourite chair, Steve receives the rest of his presents, but he will wish he hadn't. It seems Alexandra really knows how to "give ‘til it hurts.� This may sound like the folly of some bored housewife, but her problems are far darker and run much deeper. Adulterers beware!

This is a low-budget film with a small yet fantastic cast. It comes from the man who gave us The Tracker, Rolf de Heer, who has worked with both Sweet and Buday before. Low-budget most certainly does not equate with compromise or crap, and once the film starts the ride picks up pace, and Alexandra’s Project becomes a disturbing and thoughtful film. There is an underlying tension that slowly manifests itself, revealing its hand carefully and allowing the viewer to digest information in snippets.

There are one or two unexpected little twists and surprises. However, it is the tight direction and great performances that carry the film, aided by the minimal yet direct dialogue. If it is a tightly constructed, well-scripted drama you are looking for with more than a hint of mystery and a few thrills (and full frontal nudity), then Alexandra's Project is a rewarding, yet disturbing option.

There is very little to report in this neat looking film. It is presented in an anamorphically enhanced ratio of 2.35:1 and is as clean and solid as any film in 2003 should be. The colouring is strong and natural, with no evidence of noise or grain, and skin tones are accurate. Black levels are solid, while shadow detail is also very good, which is just as well as much of this film takes place in the couple's darkened home.

There are no marks, dirt or specks of any kind to ruin the film, and shimmer and aliasing is at a minimum. There is some mild edge enhancement in some of the early scenes, but mercifully it is slight. In all, this is a solid and mostly problem-free transfer.

As with the video, the audio on offer is good. There is a choice of English Dolby Digital stereo or 5.1, and while most with surround capability will run with the 5.1, there is little that those opting for stereo will miss. The rear channels are used in the 5.1 mix for some limited ambience in the few outdoor scenes for bird calls and the like, but as most of the story takes place indoors with minimal action and subtle dialogue, the lack of rear channel action will not be missed. Even the music is very stripped, minimal and subtle.

The dialogue is very much grounded in the centre speaker and will offer no dramas in the way of clarity, volume or synchronisation. There is little need for the separation of sound as this is a very minimal track, and although the left and right front speakers are present, they are not worked too hard, and neither is the subwoofer.

There are a few extras included, but they are unlikely to sway the undecided, but as this is only a rental title at present, perhaps the retail version will include something of real worth. The biographies are seven one-page summaries of the main cast and crew that offer very little substance. The theatrical trailer is unremarkable, but then most trailers are. The photo gallery contains 20 or so full screen stills from the film and from behind the scenes, and lastly there is More From Palace Films which includes trailers for The Rage in Lake Placid, Japanese Story, Erskineville Kings (sounds like a basketball team), and Visitors. They are the usual fare but should provoke some interest, which is the aim I guess.

While the extras provide little to crow about, the film itself is good value, with some interesting twists and turns, and providing something of a viewing challenge. The premise is simple and more than believable. Alexandra's Project is well worth investigating.