How to Make Gravy

Why does everything have to be so sterile and safe?

It's like everyone has trauma and needs to do something bad before finding themselves and going to group therapy and everyone is happy again.

Had a lot of expectations for this but it is just another run of the mill hashtag trauma hashtag grief drama.

The whole thing was like a school play that was written by that over ambitious kid who thought he could write, with the odd naughty word that seemed to be added for some lame emphasis.

What has happened to entertainment?

It's trying to tackle deep issues with righteous lectures and it's badly predictable.

Paul Kelly's song becomes a feature film in telling a ballad about a father unable to express true emotions. Instead, to the distraught of his family (more importantly his son), he ends up in prison for a violent outburst on a family Christmas Day. This is where the journey begins for him, and Daniel Henshall plays it with an emotional depth that has you drawn into the conflicting character, along with Hugo Weaving back to form as the wise prisoner cook.

An Australian movie that brings back hope to the art of a perfectly two hour storytelling structure, thanks to a screenplay by Meg Washington (a most underrated Australian musician), and debut feature director, Nick Waterman, who really get the characters that embody the Aussie suburban culture. And what joy to see Paul Kelly make a cameo.

My new favorite Christmas movie. Nick Waterman masterfully turns Paul Kelly's lyrics from "How to Make Gravy" into a Christmas tale about family, regret, anger, betrayal, forgiveness, love, hope, respect and friendship.

Daniel Henshall as Joe takes us on an emotional journey and I felt connected with Hugo Weaving as Noel, the prison cook who unites the inmates.

Quality Australian production with some surprise cameo's to look out for in Paul Kelly and Adam Briggs.

Make a roast with gravy (and don't forget the dollop of tomatoe sauce for sweetness), and sit back with the family and enjoy Merry Christmas!

How to Make Gravy, the 2024 Australian film directed by Nick Waterman, offers a fresh take on storytelling that really resonates. Based on Paul Kelly's beloved song, the film tells a touching and thought-provoking story that keeps you engaged.

Waterman does a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life, making them feel real and relatable. His keen eye for detail and the genuine emotion he brings to each scene make it a must-see. The cast delivers solid performances, and their chemistry adds a nice touch of realism to the film.

It's a great movie for the festive season that will definitely spark some conversations!

My Review - How to Make Gravy My Rating 6.5/10 Streaming on Foxtel

How to Make Gravy is a movie adaptation of a classic Christmas song based on the same name by Paul Kelly .

I'd never heard of it before until the conclusion of this movie and I won't be adding it to my mixed tape of Christmas songs.

The composer Paul Kelly even has a cameo in the movie as a bus driver.

The plot - A family gathers together to celebrate their first Christmas without their grandmother and tensions rise when Roger the brother in law played by Damon Herriman of Joe played by Daniel Henshall sarcastically taunts Joe about losing his job just before Christmas.

Violence fuelled by alcohol occurs between the two men and lands Joe in prison.

Joe eventually meets a lifer prisoner Noel (a nice Christmas name) played by Hugo Weaving who eventually convinces him to face his anger .

Joes wife Rita visits her husband in prison but is reluctant to subject their children to seeing their father unconvinced of his intention to face his anger issues , especially after Joe is involved in another violent fight in prison.

Don't expect festive fun ,jolly songs or happy families in this very Australian Christmas fare as it is heavy going at times featuring domestic violence and family angst .

I found How to Make Gravy well worth watching because of the impressive performances especially from Daniel Henshall as Joe and Agathe Rousselle as Rita . Joe's young son played by Jonah Wren Phillips is also impressive.

It's an average predictable at times mawkish script with no surprises by Meg Washington and Nick Waterman however it has a good message and well produced.