The Dry

Eric Bana plays a federal cop drawn back to his home town where he is persuaded to investigate the massacre of a family apparently by an old friend. His presence is largely unwelcome though as he is believed to be responsible for the death of a girl 20 years earlier.

Set in a tinder dry Australian township, this is an assured, solid mystery thriller which cleverly displays possible suspects so you never really sure what the answer is and where it lies as it twists and weaves as Bana finds new pieces of evidence. Bana is sharp and relatively reserved throughout with a good supporting cast rekindling old romances or wanting him gone for the crime he allegedly committed. It is all set in this dry world - you can almost feel the heat - reminiscent of the seventies Australian film renaissance films and particularly of course Picnic at Hanging Rock. I was particularly pleased as well that in the end the solutions to both crimes are laid properly bare, with the main crime featuring a particularly impressive piece of stunt / effects work to bring it to a satisfactory conclusion. Good film.

I have to admit, it is very rare that i watch an Aussie movie and find it is a bad one and this is no exception to the rule!

This film literally drips with atmosphere and a pervading sense of sadness mixed with regret and soupçon of futility but with superb acting from all the cast weaving a rather languorous but stylish web of intrigue to hold the viewers gaze. Great photography and spellbinding music score that really conjures up the dry dustbowl that is the archetypal, central Australia backwater town, with its hidden dark secrets and creepy bill-hilly descendants of Botany Bay; so much so you can almost feel the oppressive heat and stifling atmosphere hemming you into your seat; just like PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK (1975) did all those year ago and with the same serious aplomb.

It is a basic whodunnit story and not for the crash, bang , wallop brigade but for those who like to sit back and be absorbed into the landscape and watch from a distance and it unfolds so methodically and with such a well paced, directed, photographed and acted ensemble that it is hard to stop watching. With a masterful performance and perfect casting of the always on form Eric Bana. I actually had a tear in my eye at the final denouement; always a great sign that a movie has done its job well. It made a superb nights viewing and a film I could watch again - for me that is another sign of a good movie!!!

Highly recommended, one of the best films this year and anyone who has read Jan Harper's book will be happy as it has not been hacked to death as usually happens in the Hollywood movie-zone!

Surely wouldn't be drinking Budweiser in the outback!!?!?!??

Good solid package. Acting, cinematography, story, balance, musical score... all come together seamlessly.

Only thing missing was a definitive ending. There is enough information to wrap things up 100%. But still, there was enough room for another scene or two just to round it off. If they spent 2 more minutes, I'd had rounded it off to an 8. Not enough credit given to Aussie movies these days. But not surprised really as the bulk are cheesy horrish crap.

This one is worth a watch.

There is something uniquely Australian about this film. I think it's the overall country feel. A small country town, struggling with drought, small town syndrome and past mysteries that dog community members - especially one who has just returned after 20 years absence. A really good Australian ensemble hold together the intriguing storyline. And just when you decide it's bleeding obvious who the obsessive killer is and what links two crimes 20 years apart, they throw in some extra ingredients to throw the viewer off the scent. That's the part I actually quite enjoyed. I love this sort of movie that relies on great acting, a solid story and characters in an unforgiving outback setting. Really good work here.