Worldview Entertainment, Dragonfly Pictures, Fastnet Films,

Nicole Kidman, Joseph Fiennes, Hugo Weaving, Lisa Flanagan, Meyne Wyatt, Maddison Brown, Nicholas Hamilton

The Parkers, Catherine (Nicole Kidman) and Matthew (Joseph Fiennes), and their two kids have relocated to another very small town in Australia in the bush. There was some trouble in their last town and they’re trying to work through it. But daughter Lily (Maddison Brown) is highly sexualized for her young age, and both parents are having trouble controlling her. The parents also sleep in different rooms and have a very icy cold relationship. To say this family is dysfunctional is an understatement. But when both children disappear, the parents go into a panic to find them, or at least to find some answers.

This is a pretty dark character study type drama with few answers but lots of heart. Don’t look for heroes here as there aren’t any, they are only flawed people. There are many critics of this film which made me wonder, but as I looked at what others said, I recognized that they are criticizing what happens in the story and not how the movie is made. The movie is open ended, and the last half hour is a real trip, but it’s well crafted in that sense. You won’t have all the answers handed to you all nicely wrapped up and tied with a bow. There is a lot to think about, and many conclusions to come to on your own. It is quite interesting to see how many folks take one side or the other based mostly upon gender. Is the husband to blame? Is it the wife? Is it the daughter? Is it all of them? Come to your own decision, but rest assured it will be different than everyone else. As to the movie, it’s slow paced which helps to build the suspense. The scenes in the Australia are bleak and desolate, and as such very moving. What a hard life in a town like this. The character development is slow and steady. Nicole Kidman really does a fabulous job playing the crazed Mom of the family. Joseph Fiennes is purposely underplayed, so I feel he did alright. This is a harsh look at a hard life in the Australian Outback. This is certainly a dark film and difficult to watch, but I am not one of the haters. Regardless of the mistakes and actions this family has taken and the harsh consequences, it was worth watching. I enjoyed it. Not a great film, and it has it’s holes and flaws, but still an interesting film to watch.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

 

 

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Author: EdG

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