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IMDbPro

Blueback

  • 20222022
  • PGPG
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
521
YOUR RATING
Mia Wasikowska in Blueback (2022)
While learning to dive, young Abby befriends a magnificent wild blue groper, beginning her life-long journey to save the world's coral reefs. When the quiet reef at her coastal hometown is threatened by commercial fishing operators, Abby and her activist Mum take on poachers and developers to save her friend. BLUEBACK is a feature film adaptation of Tim Winton's best-selling and critically acclaimed novella; a universal fable for all ages about friendship, family and the power of one young girl to make a difference. 

BLUEBACK is an Arenamedia production with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest, Lotterywest and the Western Australian Screen Fund, and is financed with support from Film Victoria, with Soundfirm. The producers gratefully acknowledge the support and assistance of the Great Southern Development Commission.
Play trailer1:03
4 Videos
35 Photos
DramaFamily
Follows Abby, a child who befriends a magnificent wild blue grouper while diving. When Abby realizes that the fish is under threat, she takes inspiration from her activist Mum, Dora, and tak... Read allFollows Abby, a child who befriends a magnificent wild blue grouper while diving. When Abby realizes that the fish is under threat, she takes inspiration from her activist Mum, Dora, and takes on poachers to save her friend.Follows Abby, a child who befriends a magnificent wild blue grouper while diving. When Abby realizes that the fish is under threat, she takes inspiration from her activist Mum, Dora, and takes on poachers to save her friend.
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
521
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Robert Connolly
  • Writers
    • Robert Connolly(screenplay by)
    • Tim Winton(based on the book 'Blueback' by)
  • Stars
    • Mia Wasikowska
    • Albert Mwangi
    • Ariel Donoghue
  • Director
    • Robert Connolly
  • Writers
    • Robert Connolly(screenplay by)
    • Tim Winton(based on the book 'Blueback' by)
  • Stars
    • Mia Wasikowska
    • Albert Mwangi
    • Ariel Donoghue
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 8User reviews
    • 36Critic reviews
    • 59Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos4

    Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 1:03
    Watch Teaser Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:00
    Watch Official Trailer
    Blueback: Diving In
    Featurette 3:36
    Watch Blueback: Diving In
    Blueback: Sydney Premiere (Australia Featurette)
    Featurette 2:26
    Watch Blueback: Sydney Premiere (Australia Featurette)

    Photos35

    Radha Mitchell in Blueback (2022)
    Eric Bana in Blueback (2022)
    Pedrea Jackson and Ilsa Fogg in Blueback (2022)
    Mia Wasikowska in Blueback (2022)
    Ilsa Fogg in Blueback (2022)
    Ariel Donoghue in Blueback (2022)
    Ariel Donoghue in Blueback (2022)
    Radha Mitchell in Blueback (2022)
    Eric Bana in Blueback (2022)
    Pedrea Jackson and Ilsa Fogg in Blueback (2022)
    Blueback (2022)
    Radha Mitchell and Ariel Donoghue in Blueback (2022)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Mia Wasikowska
    Mia Wasikowska
    • Abby
    Albert Mwangi
    Albert Mwangi
    • Gitundu
    Ariel Donoghue
    Ariel Donoghue
    • Young Abby
    • (as Ariel Donoghue)
    Radha Mitchell
    Radha Mitchell
    • Dora
    Clarence Ryan
    Clarence Ryan
    • Briggs
    Eric Bana
    Eric Bana
    • Macka
    Erik Thomson
    Erik Thomson
    • Costello
    Elizabeth Alexander
    Elizabeth Alexander
    • Older Dora
    • (as Liz Alexander)
    Ilsa Fogg
    Ilsa Fogg
    • Teen Abby
    Eddie Baroo
    Eddie Baroo
    • Merv
    Pedrea Jackson
    Pedrea Jackson
    • Teen Briggs
    Dalip Sondhi
    Dalip Sondhi
    • Mr. Carlisle
    Timothy Flowers
    • Briggs' Dad
    Vikki Thorn
    • Bonfire Musician
    Dan Carroll
    • Bonfire Musician
    Luke Dux
    • Bonfire Musician
    Karla Hart
    • Bonfire Musician
    Howard Morrison
    • Police Officer
    • Director
      • Robert Connolly
    • Writers
      • Robert Connolly(screenplay by)
      • Tim Winton(based on the book 'Blueback' by) (additional writing by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Blueback the Grouper fish of the film was a puppet controlled by four people

    User reviews8

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    Lacks a Spine!
    Celebrated Australian novelist Tim Winton is one of those literary figures whose work just never quite seems to translate wholly successfully from the page to the screen. Arguably Simon Baker's 2017 adaption of Breath, may be the exception. But Robert Connolly's Blueback, follows Gregor Jordan's 2020 adaption of Dirt Music, in being a terrific film to look at, whilst simultaneously lacking dramatic heft. And this is despite Winton himself being given a co - screenwriting credit along with director Connolly, whose last film, The Dry, I loved.

    The cinematography both above and under the water is exceptional. The acting is competent without anyone particularly standing out. Ostensible lead Mia Wasikowska as the adult Abby Jackson is rarely ever challenged to get out of first gear, as is Eric Bana, in very much a support role as Mad Macka. Radha Mitchell perhaps contributes most obviously in her energetic portrayal of activist mum of Abby, Dora, in her younger years. I personally found the largely classically - inspired musical soundtrack too reminiscent of countless mid twentieth century Disney wildlife documentaries. But the big weakness was rather ironically perhaps considering the screenwriters, the storyline. With just a few exceptions, this is a film in which not a great deal happens during its 100 minute running time, despite constant time shifts and flash backs.

    Whereas the mother / daughter* relationship is way overplayed (*In the book Abby is Able ... a boy.) Erik Thomson's "villain" Costello, is so lightly treated and gets so little screen time, we never fully understand the enmity between the Jacksons and him. BTW Abby only seems to have been made female in order to experience an interracial teenage romance, which again, doesn't seem to go anywhere in terms of the general narrative. It just serves as filler content, which didn't appear in the literary source.

    It's only fair to add that the film, despite the changes mentioned, does stick very closely to its source material's welcome environmental and domestic relationship themes. Thankfully too, it does manage to coalesce into a genuinely moving climax. It's just that Blueback's storyline unwinds at such a languid pace, there are precious few thrills and unexpected excitements in getting there.

    Blueback is a frequently charming and completely inoffensive and wholesome family film. (I have no idea why its Australian Classification is M - mature audiences.) But for this punter, its lack of a genuinely engaging screenplay, made for an overall underwhelming cinematic experience.
    helpful•6
    5
    • spookyrat1
    • Jan 25, 2023

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 1, 2023 (Australia)
    • Country of origin
      • Australia
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 夢迴藍海
    • Filming locations
      • Bremer Bay, Western Australia, Australia
    • Production company
      • Arenamedia
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,603,008
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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