Last Ride (2009)

Director:

Glendyn Ivin

Writer:

Mac Gudgeon (screenplay)

Release Date:

2 July 2009 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A young boy travels across Australia with his father, who's wanted by the law. |

Cast

John Brumpton	...	Max
Mick Coulthard	...	Uncle Cliff
Rachel Francis	...	Ella
Anita Hegh	...	Maryanne
Adam Morgan	...	Blu
Levine Ngatokorua	...	Fleur
Chrissie Page	...	Shopkeeper
Kelton Pell	...	Lyall
Tom Russell	...	Chook
Sonya Suares	...	Zareena Khan
Hugo Weaving	...	Kev
Chris Weir	...	Pub Local #2

Runtime:

Australia:90 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Australia

Company:

Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC)

Father and son on the run through beautiful Australian scenery. Could be a lot less predictable.

If you've seen a lot of father and son stories, you won't see much that's new here, but there are some very affecting scenes, as crim dad drags innocent young son across the Australian countryside and bush. Hugo Weaving is okay as dad..sometimes he's more than okay, but often he's not at all convincing. There are quite a few local actors who would have been less self- conscious, but, alas they are not semi-stars like HW. The boy, Tom Russell is excellent. Trouble is the script is not very exciting. Many stock-standard father and son scenes start developing, and I think: 'oh.. my cliché expectations will be subverted at any second', but they are not, it's another stock-standard father and son scene. There are some tender moments - mainly created by sensitive direction and Russell's excellent underplaying, but it's too long a ride. I won't spoil the story, but I was not in the least bit convinced by the transformation at the end of the story..it just seemed like a sudden and easy way for the writer to put a full stop. However, the cinematography is superb..Last Ride is typical of what I think is wrong with Australian movies: they're well made, they look pretty, but not enough happens. There's not nearly enough rigour in the scripting. Wouldn't it be better to make sure you've got a really solid vehicle before you start off on the ride?