How to Make Gravy

I didn't think it was possible to take a classic Australian song loved by millions and make it into a classic Australian movie that no doubt will be loved by just as many. Everyone associated with this movie should be very proud of their achievement. It hits every mark and emotion the song evokes, and some. The writing, acting and direction are excellent and the setting is perfect. It even has a cameo of the original singer/songwriter Paul Kelly as the bus driver. It feels real and believable in every sense. Those who love the song won't be disappointed, nor will those unfamiliar with it. I loved it and will definitely watch it again.

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.

Wow what a great Aussie movie it had it all love sadness torment anger with some happy moments towards the end. Sure there might've been a few corny parts but the acting was great. The characters were fantastic and the storyline was pretty good too. This movie had it all maybe have a box of tissues handy. Some great work done by all the actors involved. I kind of figure the little boy should get a haircut though that's the only negative all in all 10 out of 10. The bad dude played a pretty good role. I've seen him in a few movies before playing the tough guy but what a great actor he is as to Hugo Weaving and the entire cast did a fantastic job.

"How To Make Gravy," directed by Nick Waterman and co-written with Meg Washington, is a poignant and beautifully crafted adaptation of Paul Kelly's iconic Christmas song.

The film delves into the emotional complexities of family and redemption, bringing to life the characters immortalised in Kelly's lyrics. Daniel Henshall delivers a compelling performance as Joe, a newly imprisoned man grappling with the weight of his absence during the family's first Christmas without him.

Hugo Weaving's portrayal of Noel, a veteran prisoner who becomes a father figure to Joe, adds profound depth to the narrative, exploring themes of guidance and personal growth. The film's visual storytelling is enhanced by Edward Goldner's cinematography, which captures both the starkness of prison life and the warmth of familial bonds.

Samuel Dixon's synth score, complemented by Washington's original songs, enriches the film's emotional landscape, resonating with the larrikin soul of Kelly's deeply felt ditty.

"How To Make Gravy" stands as a testament to the enduring power of Kelly's songwriting, offering a fresh perspective on a beloved Australian classic. It is a must-watch for both fans of the original song and those seeking a heartfelt Christmas narrative that transcends traditional holiday storytelling.

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.