Tim Winton's works are generally quite similar. Family problems lead to some sort of breakdown, and there is some violence as a result. I may be oversimplifying, but that is the overriding impression I get from everything I've read from him. This book/movie fits into that generalisation perfectly. The father of two children is in a car accident and ends up in a coma. His son is traumatised, his daughter gives in to anger and his wife gives up on him.
Then a mysterious stranger turns up, and helps them deal with what has happened. Why? Well, he is seemingly quite religious. A little questionable and contrived, but I've seen worse. Then he falls for the young daughter - at most half his age. They ride off into the sunset.
Seems like a typical Winton sad ending. However [and if you don't want to see spoilers, stop reading now], the man picks this time to suddenly become conscious as the music swells. Now, look, I generally like a happy ending, but I get the distinct feeling that I have just watched a film for about 100 minutes for absolutely nothing. The question must be asked - why? Why have the man wake up all of a sudden, for no particular reason. And what exactly have we been watching for? I have no answer.
The acting was surprisingly good for an Australian cast - particularly since they are all 'no name' actors. Indeed, some people I watched the movie with thought that the mysterious man was played by Kevin Costner. Alas, he wasn't, but it wouldn't have made much difference.
In the end, I got nothing out of this. The religious symbolism and comments were pointless, and there really wasn't anything notable. Actually, there was one scene where the [all male] class came alive - when the young girl took off her top. It's all well and good for a movie like Showgirls or Basic Instinct to be remembered for some nudity, but a Tim Winton religious drama story?
I was prepared to chalk this up a an average movie - not great, but not awful, either. But that ridiculous, contrived, cliched ending ensures that this one joins Star Wars on the bottom of my movie list.
Then a mysterious stranger turns up, and helps them deal with what has happened. Why? Well, he is seemingly quite religious. A little questionable and contrived, but I've seen worse. Then he falls for the young daughter - at most half his age. They ride off into the sunset.
Seems like a typical Winton sad ending. However [and if you don't want to see spoilers, stop reading now], the man picks this time to suddenly become conscious as the music swells. Now, look, I generally like a happy ending, but I get the distinct feeling that I have just watched a film for about 100 minutes for absolutely nothing. The question must be asked - why? Why have the man wake up all of a sudden, for no particular reason. And what exactly have we been watching for? I have no answer.
The acting was surprisingly good for an Australian cast - particularly since they are all 'no name' actors. Indeed, some people I watched the movie with thought that the mysterious man was played by Kevin Costner. Alas, he wasn't, but it wouldn't have made much difference.
In the end, I got nothing out of this. The religious symbolism and comments were pointless, and there really wasn't anything notable. Actually, there was one scene where the [all male] class came alive - when the young girl took off her top. It's all well and good for a movie like Showgirls or Basic Instinct to be remembered for some nudity, but a Tim Winton religious drama story?
I was prepared to chalk this up a an average movie - not great, but not awful, either. But that ridiculous, contrived, cliched ending ensures that this one joins Star Wars on the bottom of my movie list.
