Three Blind Mice

On the eve of their deployment to Iraq, three Australian naval officers-Harry (played by writer-director Matthew Newton), Dean, and Sam-spend their shore leave on the streets of Sydney, Australia. Having been at sea for the previous six months and with only 24 hours to spare, each of the protagonists has his own agenda: Harry, a mischievous smart-aleck, wants to spend the night boozing and wooing ladies; Dean, engaged to be married and harboring a guilty secret, plans to meet up with his fianc̩e and future in-laws; and Sam, anxious about his imminent departure to the Middle East, simply hopes to get through the night in one piece. But plans easily fall to the wayside in this action-packed evening of excess, and much will change before boarding ship. In THREE BLIND MICE, Newton delivers punching and emotionally resonant dialogue and a fresh narrative to compelling, worthy effect. РE.J.B.