once was actually shorter than the movie! So you take your seat and the films starts. The photography is stunning especially as you move, close and personal, into a wonderful Australian outback. No cliché, not too much to distract you away from from the unfolding drama. There father and son seem to learn about each others, but the hard way. Occasional flashbacks help you to understand a few aspects of the present situation. And you continue the ride, warts and all which focuses very closely on these two characters a middle age man who evolved from the school of hard knocks, and his somehow estrange son. We were told by the producer that the "ride" had to end somehow and there were alternatives on how to end this ride. I feel they made the right choice although the alternative would not have been unthinkable. Hugo's acting is very impressive in this work, and his 10 years old co- star is almost equally to the task. "Max" does little but very well too. I can't wait to read more comments from some of these excellent people who regularly share they thoughts here, because I'd be surprised if this does not prompt them to praise and elaborate much more concisely about it. Yes don't miss it

its lean dialogue, stunning cinematography, and great performances. It was so elegantly assembled, that I'm still aghast -this film is a prizewinner in my book. At the same time, I wonder whether I will need to lobby locally, so I can see it on the screen it deserves. It also recalled the more subtle, character-revealing aspects of Thelma and Louise. I saw Little Fish a few years ago, also featuring Hugo Weaving. That that film imprinted on me in a similar way, because it turned out to be an unexpectedly piquant dish. Last Ride is a feast of a film. Bravo, and thank you.

into the outback. With his short temper Kev is a dangerous and dislikeable man, often violent to both strangers and his son alike. Despite this, he never forgets that he is still Chooks father and continues to try and teach him lessons in life.Based on the novel by Denise Young and directed by Glendyn Ivin, this is yet another quiet and intensive Australian film, driven by a superb performance from its lead actor, Hugo Weaving. The verisimilitude of the character of Kev is derived from the significant detail placed into his appearance. From his tattoos and rugged facial hair, his scars and bruises, Kev is a fearsome looking man and this is further realised when we learn that he has already spent time in gaol. He remains entirely repelling in almost all of his actions. He is both a thief and murderer, with an extremely short fuse for anyone that gets in his way, including his son Chook. His first words to his son as he hands him some change in the coffee shop are: 'I want a burger and a coffee. Get whatever you want.' While seemingly insignificant, this establishes his dogmatic manner and simultaneously the rather uneven way that he caters towards his sons needs. As he strokes Chook's forehead as he sleeps, we understand that there is unusual complexion between the thuggery of prison life still inside of him and the father that he should be. Given how deplorable Kev is at times, it is testimony to the skill of Weaving that the performance remains wholly absorbing. Weaving is a lifetime away from some of the more famous roles he is known for, such as Agent Smith in The Matrix and V from V for Vendetta. It's an outstanding performance. Yet given that our sympathy rests on the shoulders of young Tom Russell's character, one cannot praise his performance enough either. Russell is equally superb in his role, looking and sounding just like an ordinary child, with wants and needs, dragged along through this chaos and far too young to understand the consequences.A great deal of tension in the film is derived not only from how Kev treats his son, but what could result from this later in life. Kev mentions at one point in the film about how his own father left him out in the desert to teach him a lesson and towards the end of the film, as they are crossing a lake, Kev too leaves Chook by himself and drives off. The echo of the stories here reminds us of the way that poor parenting is passed down from father to son. It is impossible not wonder from moments like this, and also when Chook starts shoplifting, whether Chook will become like his dad too. Though the final third of the film is quite slow and ponderous, perhaps fitting with the tranquillity of the landscape, the questions about Chook's future are answered in a very satisfying manner, as we start to see how he rejects his father's ways and begins thinking for himself. These scenes, many of which are beautifully photographed, are also punctured by a powerful climax that many are sure to find extremely moving. It is the credibility of the interplay between the father and his son that lays the platform for the emotion in the ending, without veering into sentimentality.Last Ride is slow burning and intense film, buoyed by two terrific performances. Hugo Weaving deserves many of the accolades that he is surely to receive for this performance and Tom Russell has also shown great potential as well. There are many brutal and confronting moments in this film and the pace is often very slow and ponderous, but the film's ability to surprise the viewer with new information about Kev's past and to develop the characters in an emotional finale remains highly rewarding. It is a really fine film.

made him that bad. He is violent, he is narrow minded, he is a coward, selfish and yet he does love his son and tries in his own way to do what he thinks is best for him. He tries in his own way to protect him.Last Ride is certainly worth watching just for the two actors. Hugo Weaving is a great actor and he manages to create some sympathy for a very ugly character. Tom Russel is also very great and is throughout the movie very convincing.The movie is slow paced. Very meditative. It's a road movie through the wilderness of Australia with an almost predictable, yet still very touching and heartbreaking ending.It's not Perfect World, but it delivers something Eastwood's movie didn't deliver, at least for me. Last Ride is more authentic, more realistic and should satisfy the people who never really believed Kevin Costner's character.

script. In my opinion they succeeded on both accounts extremely well. I thought Weaving's portrayal of a guy caught between the mistakes of his past and the hopelessness of his present was unusual and unusually poignant. I can hear people laughing and saying that the formula has been rehashed so many times that it is trite. My answer to that comment is that I have not seen it done so well. Weaving portrayed a guy on a knife edge, caught between a past that will not let him forget and a future that has no place for him. How many of "hims" are out there? Do we as a society have a responsibility? What went wrong? Was the script over dramatised? Did Weaving play his character too wildly, too dramatically? I do not think so. I also thought Tom Russell was brilliant. I thought that his character morphed between the extremes demanded of him in the script very well. Diane knows children his age far better than I and her comment was kids do not spring back and forth between absolutes as Russell's character did but to me I found his morphing as real as his dad's. Under those extreme circumstances I could understand the motivations of both central characters. A difficult film but one that should be seen to see what film can do.

is, as to be expected, solid and his co-star Tom Russell Chook, the son looks set to have a great future in the business.It's a very good movie that you should check out if you get the chance. 8/10

are some great scenes with little or no dialog where the interaction between the characters and their environment created enough mood on their own. More dialog would have just been a distraction at times. My only complaint about the film was that I wish it was a bit longer. But then that's a sign of a good film, you don't want it to end.

several years, with a burnished, shining clarity of light that's so good that it almost becomes distracting. The director has taken a calculated risk in the first half, holding the pace steady, verging on slow, so that the climax will be more powerful.An overall great film that you should all see.