Alex

...now this one is serious competition.

– Alex's swimming coach Mr Jack (Chris Haywood) warns her about the new girl in town

Australian input includes that of the director, the editor, a co-producer (Philip Gerlach), several of the actors and postproduction.

– Writer Helen Martin, in 1997 book New Zealand Film 1912 - 1996, page 165

Alex is a feel good kidult movie designed to inspire the teenage girls in its target audience.

– Writer Helen Martin, in 1997 book New Zealand Film 1912 - 1996, page 165

I've always known that in another life, I was or will be, a dolphin.

– Alex Archer (Lauren Jackson) at the start of the movie

Certainly a major upset for Alex Archer — until today the favourite for Olympic selection.

– Swimming commentator (Rima Te Wiata)

Originally I was asked by Television New Zealand's international department if I would like to produce Alex — at that time they held the rights. I read the book and immediately thought that it would make a terrific 90 minute film which would appeal directly to the teenagers, who these days make up the majority of the cinema-going audience. And yet not many films are made specifically for them.

– Producer Tom Parkinson, in the press kit for Alex

....Alex commenced principal photography in Auckland, New Zealand on 27 April 1992 . . . Alex marks a number of new beginnings: the first major feature for the three young actors who star in the film [and] the first officially financed co-production between New Zealand and Australia.

– From the press kit for Alex

...she was chosen from about a thousand who'd applied in writing, and about 350 who had been auditioned [and] about 30 who'd been auditioned again . . . I have to say I thought that Lauren was a wonderful choice. She did a magnificent job...

– Alex author Tessa Duder on Lauren Jackson's casting as Alex, in an interview on the Alex DVD

Elizabeth Hawthorne . . . emerges as a major talent. You keep waiting for her to return on screen as Mrs Benton, the pushy sports mother who is living her own fantasy through driving her daughter.

– Metro reviewer John Parker praises actor Elizabeth Hawthorne, Metro issue 143, May 1993

[Mr Jack] is in fact based on Jack Lyons who was Tessa Duder's swimming coach, and who also coached Lauren Jackson.

– The Alex press kit describes Mr Jack, played by Australian actor Chris Haywood

...radiantly engaging performance. . . when she first appears in deep focus in a line of race starters, she flashes a magic smile at her coach we are privileged to share.

– Reviewer Peter Calder on lead actor Lauren Jackson, The NZ Herald, 7 May 1993

As in Strictly Ballroom, the central characters are real but the supporting cast are heightened towards gentle caricature . . . I keep complaining that it's time they made delightful films like this here. Well, now they do.

– Reviewer John Parker in Metro, May 1993

The story is about teenagers who are reaching a certain age of maturity and seeing some changes in their lives. We wanted a director who was young — Megan's 29 — who could still remember what that was like. We wanted a woman, because Alex is a girl's story and we wanted to find a fresh new talent.

– Producer Phil Gerlach on Australian director Megan Simpson, in the press kit for Alex

The filmmakers should be applauded for recreating this era so well. It is hard not to like this bouncing young filly of a girl who has all the pluck of one of those characters from Girls' Own annuals . . . Alex is a great school holiday movie.

– Reviewer Anabright Hay on the film and the main character, The Press, May 1993