Sweet River

Darn it. For the first half, this felt like it was building up to be a genuinely creepy horror-mystery, of which there are too few from Australia. Tension never really gets past the first notch, however, and midway through the second half, the vibe is that of a premise that hadn't fully been thought through by the writers, resulting in a flat conclusion that was no more than a less-than-subtle metaphor for grief. What then was the point of the supernatural elements? Nice cinematography, acting is more than commendable with believable characterisations by all involved, but overall this is just a time filler.

A decent-enough film, that you can pass a few hours with.

If you're looking for a non-stop, rollercoaster of a horror movie...this ain't it!

It's a very slow burner, with probably the worst group of child actors you'll see this year. Everything else though, is great!

Here we have a drama film that includes a supernatural subplot which, unfortunately, doesn't lend as much to the film as it could have. It's a pity because I think it could have had the potential to be a genuinely spooky movie, but the real message within is a story about grief and loss, not things that go bump in the night. I watched till the end hoping for dramatic revelations or a great twist that made it worth the effort, but I was disappointed.

I can't understand the negative reviews for this film. It has a good story, is well produced and has an excellent cast. It is an Australian film, and perhaps overseas American audiences miss the subtlety of Australian culture and story telling. However, the film is far from boring.

What separates the film from the mundane done to death horror, is the subtle showing of ghosts. There are no silly monsters popping out, or OTT special effects.

The lead English actress was very good, and I think that it's very unfair to just compare her to a look alike Rebecca Gibney. Because she certainly brings a strong screen presence with her. The supporting cast are also strong, and each shine in their own way.

The film also sheds light on the small towns near the Tweed River. For anyone who has ever visited there, it certainly does have a spooky feel and an unusual atmosphere about it. The sugar canes, which are largely the livelihood of such towns grow tall and far reaching. It is also has interesting Artistic culture.

My only criticism would have been to show less of the lead characters return to alcoholism. While a significant story to tell there could have been half the amount of scenes of her drinking to paint the picture.

All in all an enjoyable watch and definitely well above your cliched horror film.

I don't understand all the negative reviews. It's not the best movie I've ever seen but I've seen a lot worse. The acting was quite good I thought for a lot of less known actors. It kept me guessing all the way through and the finish pieces it all together.