Romulus, My Father

This is a new Australian movie, starring Eric Bana and a fantastic kid caclled Kodi Smit-Mcphee. Based on a true story, it traces a few years in the life of Raimond and his father Romulus, coping with life on the land, trying to get Rai an education, and the sporadic and poisoning presence of Rai's mother Christina.

There isn't much to say about the plot other than what the flyer says. It celebrates 'the unbreakable bond between father and son'. And it celebrates it in a very subtle and moving way. The characters have real flaws, and real problems. The solutions are often messy.

It is a very slow moving film, and probably could have benefitted from some selective editing for it to appeal to a broader audience. But as it is, the intergrity in the script remains intact, and as an exploration of one kind of relationship, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

8.5 out of 10.