Last Ride -" A Road Well Travelled"
Hugo Weaving is a talented thespian, and a master at playing the tormented soul (Little Fish is a prime example). He is no stranger to Hollywood, having appeared in the Matrix and Lord of The Rings trilogies, and is spot on at every turn. I was however nonplussed with his performance as the father of one, desperate to evade his past and protect his future. His violent side was evident, his bond with son "Chook"( played by newcomer Tom Russell) strong, and his characterisation as the the drunk Aussie bloke (complete with flannel ) flawless, I just didn't buy it.
Russell was a breath of fresh air, having only appeared in a short film prior to this, he seems a natural on camera. His depiction of a conflicted child was touching and he chemistry between he and Weaving was evident.
Once again though, stereotypes of "Aussies" and "our beautiful landscape" are at the forefront of this adventure, and an attempt at a meaty story falls flat, when the techniques of " show and tell" in cinema become too much of the telling and not enough is left to the audience.
The climax, was predictable and the attempt by Mac Gudgeon to write his way to salvation in the scripts end didnt leave me wanting more but it did leave me unfulfilled.
Where are the urban dramas, the likes of Lantana and The Bank? Where the script was the story?
2/5
VIEW TRAILER HERE
Happy Watching - CR.