The Dry

A drought-plagued rural town where tempers flare too easily and grudges are worn like badges of honour is the setting for this Australian crime mystery from Paper Planes director Robert Connolly, based on the novel by Jane Harper. Following a hasty and cliché-ridden opener that sees Eric Bana's celebrated federal police officer Aaron Falk return to his home town to attend the funeral of his childhood friend Luke, the film opens out into something more unhurried and absorbing. Luke seemingly took his own life after killing his wife and son, but his parents refuse to believe that's what happened and task Aaron with uncovering the truth. He's assisted by the original, inexperienced investigating sergeant, and the suspects include another childhood pal, Gretchen (Genevieve O'Reilly), with whom Aaron has a romantic spark. Meanwhile, an earlier tragedy is gradually illuminated through flashbacks. The scorched setting makes a striking, inhospitable backdrop and Bana is robust and unshowy at the centre, though more humour in the script would have been welcome, and some ill-thought-through and predictable plotting does it few favours at the close.