Slightly below average flick. Good first time out for director Crowe.

Rating: 4/10 (23 April 2015)

Russel Crowe has wowed us with his acting, so he finally took his shot as Director/Actor. I really think he took on a little too much with a historical war drama here. The story, although shot very well, lacks the narrative that in the end is compelling. He hit all the points to make a decent story, but didn't really carry through in a believable way with the film's namesake, "The Water Diviner." The opening scene is good with him finding water via a divining rod, and the story sets up well with the main character (father) feeling he let his boys go to war, and losing them. He sets out to find them using his talents spiritually like he would find water. The problem is that concept barely carries through the film, and what ensues is mostly dull scenes in search of his sons that carry little dramatic weight. Historical inaccuracies abound (Gallipoli Campaign backdrop), there is some decent acting, but the film falls flat for more than the second and third act.
Overall, it's a pretty well done little film if you ignore most of things mentioned above, and would like to see Mr. Crowe act in a film. His leading lady does a nice job with what's she's given, and certainly not hard to look at. Mr. Crowe deserves some additional credit for the tenacious self promotion for the film. He's traveled everywhere it's opened, and been very active in social media. The film now is opening across the United States at the time of this writing. I personally would save the viewing for release on DVD etc.