Cactus

This film could have been a masterpiece if the motivations and situation had been a bit clearer. We are left with an endless trek through the back roads with no destination in sight and no reason to feel any sympathy for either protagonist. There are several moments in the narrative that leave you guessing and wondering why the situation turns out as depicted.When you add up the miles traveled in the red Ford, it seems incredulous to say the least.As for the ending...well, you be the judge. You may be disappointed, confused, sad or in awe..it's hard to know what the film maker's intent was, but then again, that's the attraction of cinema.The expansive outdoor shots are delightful and beautifully photographed.

This is not a bad movie --

not a good one -- kind of slow in places --

Standard Ausie Out-Back movie -- some parts are like Bone Dry --

others remind you of Wolf Creek -- Both of the characters played did a remarkable job in keeping you interested in the long journey --

It was rather cool how Rosco (Bryan Brown) took care of his friend Thommo (Shane Jacobson)...

All in all not a waste of time -- but not an on the edge of your seat thrill either.

You be the judge of this one. I gave it a 6 because they didn't supply a 5 & a half.

I really enjoyed this movie. It was slow at times but I must say David Lyons 'Eli' did an amazing job at keeping me very interested. It was an interesting script and it kept me asking questions but the end was satisfying. The message behind the movie was strong and I would defiantly watch it again. :)

Kudos to the director, Interesting storyline, Amazing acting performances, costumes and make-up were a win and all in all a job well done!

I would defiantly recommend seeing it if you enjoy movies with more meaning than action.

I found Cactus to be involving and thought provoking. I've read some reviews elsewhere online that said it wasn't fast paced enough; I think they were written by people looking for an action movie, and not prepared for what is basically a relationship drama, in which the painful trajectories the characters are on are revealed to the audience as they're revealed to each other.

I found it interesting that while both of the main characters were believable, the kidnapper ultimately was revealed to be more sympathetic (though both characters went through a transformation as the narrative developed.)

Re: the reviews online that claim too many elements were left unresolved, I understand but don't agree with their point. Cactus is not a movie that wraps things up into neat packets, neatly labeled, with a narrator summing up the meaning or "moral." The viewer is left to figure some (major) things out. If you like your movies all sewn up with neat explanations, it may be unsatisfying, but if you like relationship dramas that open up slowly, and leave you to ponder some things, I expect you'll like it.

This is an unusual adventure with striking scenes of the Australian outback. Travis McMahon (who plays a kidnapper) and David Lyons (a hostage) carry most of the film. There is an interesting exchange between the kidnapper and the hostage, which captivates the viewer, as the two travel to the kidnapper's destination. Bryan Brown (who plays Rosco) provides excitement, as he adds twists to the story, and is vital to the film's surprise ending. Rosco, a law officer, carries destiny and his own brand of justice. Will the kidnapper and the hostage arrive at their intended destination? And, will the kidnapper be able to safely return to his home, his wife, and his young daughter?

The direction and writing, by Jasmine Yuen Carrucan, is good. But, the story is not fully developed, and I found the ending to be incomplete. The film's ending left me, and the two main characters (the kidnapper and the hostage), in suspended animation. People are killed, and they just seem to disappear, without a trace. In addition, the flashbacks in the film are confusing to me, and I don't know what their relationship is to the film's storyline. It is for these reasons that I rank this film a 7 out of 10. The film has potential but, as a viewer, I was kidnapped and don't really know why. The film is a puzzle, without all of the pieces, but see if you can try to piece it together. I definitely can't.