Down Under

My hopes are never that high when it comes to Aussie film (despite being an Australian myself), but this blew my family and I out of the water. We were laughing all the way through, connecting with the characters (despite their very obvious flaws), and oddly surprised by the high production values. Acting was on-point and convincing. The characters seemed like real people, as stupid as some of them may be. By the end, the characters were humanised enough for us that we wanted NO ONE to get hurt (even those that may have deserved it) and whenever a hit landed, we felt it. The missing star for me would maybe come from a lake of clarity for what the film stood for other than 'hate and prejudice is bad'. Maybe lacking a bit of nuance in that department. After watching this film I immediately searched for ways that I could support it and the filmmaker, having only heard about it a few years after it's release (due to the streaming service Stan) - my mission begins with this review. I was honestly surprised at the relatively low reviews for this film as it set the bar for my family and I for modern Australian comedy film. Everyone involved kudos and KEEP DOING WHAT YOU LOVE - because I love it.

Ten minutes into this movie, you're either going to get where the writer is going with this, or you'll be totally put off by it. The polarised reviews on this page are no coincidence. It's the darkest of black comedies which takes on a very sensitive subject and makes us look at some truths about ourselves as Australians (both new and old). That can make people pretty uncomfortable.

I actually really enjoyed it. The comedy is handled well, and if you're paying attention, you'll catch some excellent sight-gags peppered through the movie. But it's not just about the laughs. There is a serious message at the heart of Down Under, and it's delivered well by a deft script that doesn't pull its punches, and a gifted cast who can go from funny to horrifying and back.

Kudos to writer/director Abe Forsyth.

When I heard that Abe had made a comedy about the Cronulla riots I was already laughing just from the concept, I was ready to tell all my mates to check it out before ever pressing play.... Sadly when I did press play that is when the laughing ended. At first I was expecting a slapstick/goofball comedy like Ned which was hilarious, that wasn't happening so I thought "Ok I guess it is a dark comedy, no problem". By 15 minutes in I was thinking "is this actually suppose to be funny at all?". This film was terrible and boring as hell, story was sloppy and it came to a pretty stupid ending. I really don't get my hopes up for too many films these days but when you know a writer/director has talent you kind of do get your hopes up and to see the serve you dog feces is pretty disappointing. My honest advice with this film is just don't bother, it is a waste of an hour. If you want a laugh just watch his first film "Ned".

I've been waiting to see this for years to see why people are so angry and I'm. It disappointed.

It displays the idiocy of both irrational and angry nationalist Aussies and Mediterraneans alike.

It's no surprised everyone was offended.

There's no secrets about the fragility of the human ego, social media is rife with triggered hypocrites these days, but Down Under takes us back to a time before Facebook and Twitter and shows us that nothing really has changed.

In 2005 my country and it's people were embarrassed by the minorities. No not the "minorities" as in a marginalised community, I mean the few of the people who acted like dogs in Cronulla in those days and tried to carry on the violent nonsense with no clear goal or plan in mind

Definitely worth a watch but don't go getting your undies all twisted up in your ego and taking it personally if you're white Aussie or middle eastern, it only represents you if you identify with the characters and if that's the case then you deserve to be embarrassed anyway, and should be.

An outstanding film with top notch comedic performances from the cast as well as great dramatic performances. Abe Forsythe is a special talent and with his great writing and directing with this film has managed to do something incredible and make a film centered around the cronulla riots and 2 groups so different yet so alike and is a film that is gives of a powerful message that. Underplays throughout the film and really brings the message with the powerful conclusion . Abe makes a top notch film that is both funny and dramatic and captured the audience and takes them on a great ride and Balances them perfectly taking the audience on a great journey,an absolute ripper of a film Australians should get out and see this great film it's well worth it