Gorgeous cinematography and compelling storyline

Rating: 9/10 (25 July 2015)

Russell Crowe's directorial debut proves he is as capable and gifted behind the camera as he is in front of it. Crowe wisely allows this story to tell itself in visually striking imagery, without allowing it to become overly sentimental, and, though he stars as well as directs this, he avoids the temptation of overweening actor vanity to spoil the narrative. Playing a grieving father of three sons lost in the battle of Gallipoli in 1915, Crowe suffers another tragedy that sets him on a quest to find out the truth about his sons' deaths. There is a big revelation toward the end of the film that could have easily seemed forced and contrived but is beautifully realized by both Crowe and Ryan Corr. Probably an overlooked cinema gem of the year but well worth the watch.