Bosch & Rockit

The title "Bosch & Rockit" may be misleading.

On one hand you might think this is a new fusion lettuce salad or a fancy electrical/farming appliance.

The reality is it's one of the best Aussie movies to feature the surf scene since Simon Bakers' "Breath" based on the Tim Winton best seller.

This drama was the star of the recent Gold Coast Film Festival and is set in the summer of 1990 along the New South Wales North Coast, The eldest of the Hemsworth acting male siblings, Luke, plays "Bosch", a dead beat dad who despite everything loves his son "Rockit".

The son is cast with a fresh new Aussie actor Rasmus King in the role.

He's actually from Byron Bay and is a pro surfer who's used to the nomadic lifestyle he plays in this movie...it was almost made for him.

Dads a farmer, of sorts, and once his crop goes up in smoke (Cheech & Chong style) the pair flee the scene and take cover in Rasmus' birth place, Byron Bay.

Fun Fact: the Motel featured in this movie is actually in Brunswick Heads.

With crooked cop "Derek" played by "Blue Heelers" star Martin Sacks (he's been in a good paddock) hot on his heels the father and son manage to make NSW's thin blue line look like Keystone Cops.

Ironically Isabel Lucas as "Deb" plays "Boschs" lover.

In real life, Luke younger brother Chris "Thor" Hemsworth was an item with Lucas after starring in a movie together.

Families are complicated.

"Rockit" is a very naive young teen who believes his alcoholic mum (Leeanna Walsman as "Elizabeth") is coming back to their tight little family.

This is the same lad mercilessly bullied at school, who believes he is on a magical surf holiday and not on the run with his drug dealer dad.

Life is like a box of chocolates for "Rockit".

Watch out for: Up and coming stunning Aussie (triple threat) model, actress, dancer Savannah La Rain as "Rockits" blooming love interest "Ash Ash" and find out how her character got her name.

All of this heartfelt storyline is backed by an Aussie BBQ soundtrack that rocks harder than a Bunnings sausage sizzle.

Unfortunately the finale of this movie is it's Achilles heel.

At its core the film feels like it's just a showcase for Director & Story Writer Tyler Atkins' calling card into Hollywood.

Shame because the surf cinematography is stunning and Australia is the winner as the backdrop.

However I can't forgive a movie that doesn't have a conclusive ending.

All screenplays need a beginning, a middle and an end.

It's not rocket surgery.

Likeable storyline of father trying to be a good father to his surf mad teenager son.

Mother is sadly having her own issues.

Unfortunately, the dark side of the father is his drug dealing and mixing with bad criminals.

The filming locations are really awesome along the East coast, especially around Byron bay and other fantastic coastal ocean locations !

Not sure whether the teenager actor was actually doing the surfing, however the surfing shots were believable.

Teenager character is also believable through good casting.

The teenage actor has such great, very long hair that girls would go crazy !

Went into this not expecting much and left feeling so many emotions! Took me on an emotional roller coaster. Laughs, tears, sadness, love! I highly recommend this film. Luke Hemsworth was unreal and the child was great, can't wait to see future projects with him in them.

Good story base but drawn out screenplay just weighs it down. The Dad's character is well acted and as much of an antihero as also a guy you want to have a beer with.

Rockit, the illiterate son who is in need of Adderall or a heavy dose of stun gun--almost ruins the stellar acting on his own. It's heavy handed in goofiness even when it should be time for some serious times. It's a serious fragmented family drama with beautiful backdrop of the Australian coastlines, coupled with fantastic surf footage isn't lost but the child actor and his heavy dose of shrill just ruined what appeared to be a troubled but unique father son as "buds" story arc. The music/score was also distracting and intrusive seemingly happening every 90 seconds at that-- with sappy music blaring over what could be reflective character moments.

5.5/10.

I'll start with the bad, not many people say tucker instead of food in Australia. Some of the slams was a put off, though it was made for the international market I assume.

Film location says Byron Bay here and yes some was but mostly filmed at Brunswick Heads and other places including The Stand at Coolangatta, so if the movie inspires you to book a holiday the main shops and Sails Motel are at Brunswick.

Cinematography is excellent and they take full advantage of the scenery on the NSW north coast & south QLD.

The acting is good for that type of Aussie movie.

Without adding spillers or repeating what other reviewers have written, it covers some social issues regarding parenting, and also Pottsville (yes there really is a place by that name and nature) lifestyle.

The movie is easy to watch, doesn't bog down anywhere but there is a severe language warning for younger viewers plus drug references.

Definitely worth a watch.