Last Ride (2009)

A young boy travels across Australia with his father, who's wanted by the law for committing a violent crime.

Director:

Glendyn Ivin

Writers:

Mac Gudgeon (screenplay), Denise Young (novel)

Stars:

Hugo Weaving, Tom Russell, Anita Hegh

1 win & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hugo Weaving	...	Kev
Tom Russell	...	Chook
Anita Hegh	...	Maryanne
John Brumpton	...	Max
Kelton Pell	...	Ranger Lyall
Sonya Suares	...	Zareena Khan
Loren Taylor	...	Girl in Pub (as Loren Horsley)
Adam Morgan	...	Man in Roadhouse
Chrissie Page	...	Storekeeper
Chris Weir	...	Local #2 in Pub
Michael Allen	...	Local #1 in Pub
Beau Hurren	...	Local #3 in Pub
Mick Coulthard	...	Uncle Mick
Lucy Russell	...	Girl in the Chicken Shop
Jane Liscombe	...	News Reporter

Storyline

A young boy travels across Australia with his father, who's wanted by the law for committing a violent crime.

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Plot Keywords:

child uses a gun | australia | boy | two word title | chase | 

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Taglines:

Love Runs Deep

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Once actor Hugo Weaving was cast as Kev, the process of casting the character Chook was undertaken. Director Glendyn Ivin had never intended on holding a 'cattle call' audition for the character of Chook because he had a clear idea of what he was looking for in a young actor. Ivin said: "I was open to what Chook looked like but was specifically after a young actor who was resilient with a confidence and a naturalness - a regular kid. I saw Tom [Russell] at an audition one afternoon in Adelaide, and he was really impressive. The next morning we organized to see him at home, and even though I was a stranger, he was just a really nice kid to be around, so that was really important." Ivin continued: "At one point, he picked up a guitar and launched into this song, singing his heart out. Not only was it a really good performance, but there was one point where he screwed it up, and didn't know the words but he didn't get embarrassed by it at all. He just said 'I don't know these words' and then just launched back into the bit he knew. I'd never seen someone who was that relaxed about performing. I just felt that, that was who I wanted to play Chook. I didn't want a kid who was going to be too hard on himself, but felt comfortable just being who he was. Tom never seemed to be overwhelmed by the process, people and characters, cameras, equipment and lights, and he was just great on-screen and off-screen. He surprised me and everyone on the crew on a daily basis."

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Goofs

When Chook goes back to the car (at the end), sunlight can be seen through his hair on both sides of his head from behind, indicating that his face is in full sun. The following shot from the front shows half his face in shadow.

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Connections

Referenced in Last Ride: Behind the Scenes - Web Clips (2009)

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Soundtracks

Indescribably Blue
Written by P. Holinari (Copyright Control)
Performed by Pete Holinari
Courtesy of Shock Records
on behalf of Damaged Goods Records

User Reviews

Brilliant.

This is a coming of age story of two people on a road trip. A man and a boy are elementally bound and separated through their own actions over the course of their intense journey . Each of their choices resonates as a life lesson. Context is revealed in the sparing use of flashbacks: like inexact memories, past acts are recalled in short swirls, and distancing, grainy, TV blue- hues. The characters' more intentional, real-time acts take place in the redemptive, sensually saturated landscape of the Outback. I found Last Ride to be more compelling than anything I've seen this year, with its lean dialogue, stunning cinematography, and great performances. It was so elegantly assembled, that I'm still aghast -this film is a prizewinner in my book. At the same time, I wonder whether I will need to lobby locally, so I can see it on the screen it deserves. It also recalled the more subtle, character-revealing aspects of Thelma and Louise. I saw Little Fish a few years ago, also featuring Hugo Weaving. That that film imprinted on me in a similar way, because it turned out to be an unexpectedly piquant dish. Last Ride is a feast of a film. Bravo, and thank you.

Details

Official Sites:

Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund [Australia] Music Box Films

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 July 2009 (Australia)

Also Known As:

The Last Ride

Filming Locations:

Lake Gairdner, South Australia, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD3,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$838, 1 July 2012

Gross USA:

$6,853

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$251,018

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC), Film Victoria, Last Ride

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1