Lantana
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Movie Reviews of Lantana
Movie Review: Unexpected gem
Summary: 5 Stars
LANTANA was one of those films that quietly arrived at the cinemas in Australia, and through word of mouth quickly gained its reputation as a fine cinema. Before long, everyone was talking about it.Centered around a group of people who's lives become intertwined, Lantana pulls you in and doesn't let go. It's one of the most interesting films I've seen in recent years and the acting is outstanding. The cast includes Geoffrey Rush (Shine), Kerry Armstrong (SeaChange), Anthony LaPallagia (The Bank) and America's Barbara Hershey (Beaches). I assume they cast Barbara Hershey to sell the movie overseas. To be honest, it wouldn't have made much difference to her role if they cast an Australian actress. I'm not a big fan of Barbara Hershey and I think she is probably the film's only weakness.
Lantana proves once again the brilliant movies that come out of Australia. If you like this film, I also recommend "The Hard Word" starring Guy Pierce and Rachel Griffiths, and "Two Hands" starring Heath Ledger and Bryan Brown. These are just two of a long list of outstanding Aussie films.
Movie Review: Finally a movie that shows the way men really think!
Summary: 5 Stars
Why don't they make more movies like this? An intelligent thriller (you won't know what really happened till almost the very end) with a look at the complexities and complications men face in their everyday lives. On the surface the movie focuses on several men and the women in their lives - among them, a psychiatrist (played by Barbara Hershey) and her husband (Geoffrey Rush) whose marriage is floundering after the death of their daughter and a cop (Anthony Lapaglia) who has been unfaithful to his wife. There are several other couples in this film as well and, slowly, all of the couples' lives begin to affect one another in strange and oddly disquieting ways.But the real center of the film is the way the men talk to one another about their lives and slowly reveal their thoughts and feelings. Don't get me wrong - this is NOT a touchy feely movie but it is one of the few films where the inner life of men is revealed in a realistic way. Watch it once to try and figure out whodunit and then watch it again to catch the subtle interactions between the various men and the women in their lives.
Movie Review: The Perfect Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Lantana unravels on screen much as a great novel unfolds on the page. Short scenes tied together by superior acting, tremendous writing and the perfect score make for an edge-of-your-seat, adult thriller that confounds and amazes.
This movie takes nothing for granted. There are no wasted characters, scenes, lines or afterthoughts. It is precise, economical and complimentary to those who enjoy not having their intelligence insulted by their movies.
Lantana introduces us to a finite universe where each character is either directly or indirectly related to each other, to tragedy, heartache and hope renewed. It is a shared secret amongst a community of shrouded truths.
I encourage you to not only watch this movie; but to study it as well. It is what all movies should be - masterful storytelling. I've given away nothing of the plot to ruin the experience for you. However, if you chose to devote two hours of your life, do so expecting amazement. But be sure to keep your five senses alert. This movie leaves no part of you untouched.
Movie Review: Stars who look & act like real people
Summary: 5 Stars
Other reviewers on these pages have done a good job summarizing the 'Lantana' storyline and the intricate lattice which is woven around the protagonists. I have nothing new to add on that front. I will tell you that each of the actors in this movie - with the notable exception of Barbara Hershey - triumphs because they simply look like we've peered in on their real lives. This is how real people talk, behave, and react. No grand moments, staged soliloquies, or dense dialogue. Things happen, they react. It's all scripted to some degree, I'm sure. But it all feels so fresh and natural.
Of special note are Anthony LaPaglia (known in the US as 'the guy who replaced the bald guy on Murder One') and Kerry Armstrong. Ahem. I wasn't aware of Ms. Armstrong's work before this, I'm embarrassed to say. What a beautiful woman. And confident enough to show that she's aging a bit. It's easy to see why she swept the leading actress awards in Australia in 2002 for both TV *and* film. You can't keep your eyes off of her.
Movie Review: A very good Australian movie
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie is surprisingly good. All the actors are good, especially the female who played as the wife of the adultered cop, with deep feelings and emotions, sometimes vulnerable, sad, helpless, but most of the time deep, strong, kind, and understanding. I also felt sad during watching, and could not help shaking my head constantly about the boredom of an urban life, men, women, kids, are all so lonely and bored. There was a dislogue between the cop and his wife that I could not agree more. The wife told the husband that it is so easy to go out to find a man or woman to fool around to kill the boring of your life, but it is so hard not to. This is the sentence worth the whole movie by watching it. All the incidents, co-incidents were well woven and developed. Life in a coastal city in Australia is like elsewhere, bored and bored, unless you go out to the night clubs, bars to kill it in vain, as life itself is a boring cycle, it repeats again when you have to face it night after night.