Style: Crime Drama
Director: Robert Connolly
Starring: Eric Bana, Genevieve O’Reilly
Operating Time: 117 minutes
Synopsis: Melbourne-based federal agent Aaron Falk (Eric Bana) returns to his rural dwelling city of Kiewarra to attend the funeral of his childhood buddy Luke, who died alongside together with his spouse and son in an obvious murder-suicide. With the world affected by excessive drought and all of the farmers struggling financially, Luke’s dad and mom plead with Aaron to research the deaths. Flashbacks recall Aaron and Luke’s carefree teenage years with associates Gretchen and Ellie, which finish in a tragedy that drives Aaron away and beneath a darkish cloud. Within the current, he rekindles a relationship with Gretchen (Genevieve O’Reilly), and his sleuthing uncovers an online of potential motives surrounding the dying of Luke and his household.
What Works Nicely: This Australian manufacturing adapts the Jane Harper novel into slow-burning however at all times partaking twin mysteries unfolding a technology aside. A sun-drenched atmosphere starved for water creates a sweltering setting, director Robert Connolly and cinematographer Stefan Duscio capturing extensive open however parched farmlands the place the cracks within the soil disguise secrets and techniques and resentments. Eric Bana is a stoic presence, holding again on partaking on the emotional stage as he probes the locals, lots of whom blame him for a neighborhood calamity from the previous.
What Does Not Work As Nicely: Given all of the funding in character, temper, and milieu, the third act revelations are rushed. Some weapon-and-ammunition particulars associated to the household killings are bungled, suggesting a slipshod preliminary investigation. For all his circumspect care in questioning the locals, Aaron has an awkwardly contrived encounter with Gretchen seemingly designed to impose a boulder upon their path to romance.
Key Quote:
Gretchen (to Aaron): You of all individuals needs to be minding your individual enterprise.
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