This movie takes my vote for the most unheralded and underrated movie ever. It has so many wonderful facets to it that it is hard to do them all justice.
First, is a wonderful exploration of euthanasia, somehow managing to explore every aspect of this impossible subject without preaching, judging or (praise be due) virtue signalling.
Second, the setting is magnificent : the whole story unfolds on a backdrop of genuine outback Australia. The characters in the pubs, the landscapes and even the little details (the sound of the outback crickets at night) are all rendered with perfection.
Third, it is Beautifully written, with dialogue true to the Aussie outback vernacular, and utterly true to its mission.
This movie is also a warts-and-all exploration of aboriginal Australia that papers over nothing. It exposes the awful reality of many outback towns ( drunkenness, homelessness) yet somehow leaves you feeling optimistic at the same time. They somehow achieve this impossible task without you realising that you were just watching a movie.
If the characters in this movie seem a bit agricultural, or if the scenery appears a little contrived, then I have just one piece of advice for you: get out a bit more. This is a very true representation of outback, red-dirt Australia in all its glory.
I've watched thousands of movies in my time, and rated many hundreds of them . But this is the first time I have been compelled to write a written review. This movie deserves to be recognised as a wonderful and timeless addition to the chronicles of bare raw-boned Australian cinematography, while simultaneously tackling the impossible subject of euthanasia with insight and balance.
I rate it a masterpiece. Gee I hope you agree.
First, is a wonderful exploration of euthanasia, somehow managing to explore every aspect of this impossible subject without preaching, judging or (praise be due) virtue signalling.
Second, the setting is magnificent : the whole story unfolds on a backdrop of genuine outback Australia. The characters in the pubs, the landscapes and even the little details (the sound of the outback crickets at night) are all rendered with perfection.
Third, it is Beautifully written, with dialogue true to the Aussie outback vernacular, and utterly true to its mission.
This movie is also a warts-and-all exploration of aboriginal Australia that papers over nothing. It exposes the awful reality of many outback towns ( drunkenness, homelessness) yet somehow leaves you feeling optimistic at the same time. They somehow achieve this impossible task without you realising that you were just watching a movie.
If the characters in this movie seem a bit agricultural, or if the scenery appears a little contrived, then I have just one piece of advice for you: get out a bit more. This is a very true representation of outback, red-dirt Australia in all its glory.
I've watched thousands of movies in my time, and rated many hundreds of them . But this is the first time I have been compelled to write a written review. This movie deserves to be recognised as a wonderful and timeless addition to the chronicles of bare raw-boned Australian cinematography, while simultaneously tackling the impossible subject of euthanasia with insight and balance.
I rate it a masterpiece. Gee I hope you agree.