- Film Review
- Reviewed By Dave Aldridge
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3 out of 5
Clive Owen gives a performance of depth and subtlety in this drama from Shine director Scott Hicks. Based on the memoir by Simon Carr, the film features Owen as Joe Warr, a British sports writer living in Australia, and follows the expat's unconventional attempts to raise his eight-year-old son (Nicholas McAnulty) following the untimely death of his wife (Laura Fraser). But when his estranged teenage son (George MacKay) from a previous marriage comes to visit, a rudderless Joe has to concentrate on re-establishing his relationship with him, too. The film is decently directed by Hicks but it covers little unexplored territory, and the device of having Joe's dead wife popping up in his moments of self-doubt is needless and clunky. But the quality of the acting is impressive and serves to at least give some substance to a rather flimsy plot.
Plot Summary
Drama from the director of Shine, starring Clive Owen. British-born Joe Warr is a sports writer in Australia who tragically becomes a single parent when his wife dies of cancer. However, Joe takes a "just say yes" approach to bringing up his young son Artie, a method that comes under added pressure when his resentful teenage son from a previous marriage comes to stay.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Joe Warr
- Clive Owen
- Laura
- Emma Booth
- Katy
- Laura Fraser
- Harry
- George MacKay
- Artie
- Nicholas McAnulty
- Barbara
- Julia Blake
- Tom
- Chris Haywood
- Digby
- Erik Thomson
- Flick
- Natasha Little
- Mia
- Emma Lung
Crew
- Director
- Scott Hicks
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