Remarkable story, remarkably told

Rating: 9/10 (21 October 2015)

David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" has always stuck in my mind (and heart) as being a very 'atmospheric' film. An artistically appealing ambiance, tonally transcendental. I had not expected in my lifetime to see another film that had quite the same effect upon me. I was wrong and most pleasantly surprised.
'The Water Diviner' is a truly incredible story and most beautifully, atmospherically, lyrically told under the deft direction of Russell Crowe. There is, for the most part, an understatement of drama which entices the viewer to look deeper and find more hidden meanings in the nuanced script and performances. Script which is both intelligent and exceptionally moving without a drop of superfluous sentimentality to detract from the thrust of the story. It is a very, very 'human' story. Never difficult to relate to the various characters at some level, to the extent that I could almost feel my mind and heart were being read. This is really a film of 'audience participation' on so many levels. The acting performances are, without question,superb. Crowe solicited from the actors subtle and almost understated performances that added mystery and momentum to the telling. Olga Kurylenko, Yilmaz Erdogan and Dylan Georgliades are the more pronounced of these.And, of course, Crowe is superb. Yet all the key players have their own beautiful rhythm of realism to add to the telling.
Within the story hide many very human truths and realities. Beware of making any judgement about any character you see portrayed, for the film has a wonderful gift of clarifying, simply and directly, why a character behaves the way they do. It is a marvelous film for any student of psychology!
I give nothing away, except to say - watch the eyes of the actors and actresses.Their immersion in their respective rolls is clear to see in their eyes.
Bravo, Mr. Crowe. A superb film. Truly a masterpiece.