Martin Graupner
a silent, melancholic movie about father and son who gonna cope with their own special reality and history. these two guys, who cannot avoid getting in trouble again and again, because of the fathers violent character. we only know some of the shadows of his past and the reasons behind his violence. that's enjoyable enough to remain in the frontiers of melancholy. the movie tells -- literally, like at the campfire -- about the wounds that are reason and those who can be results.anyway, the pictures don't surprise. we see nothing new. especially, if we have already seen perfect world. and if we have seen widescreen documentations about the terrific Australian landscape.
robitari-2
I often drew a comparison between Last Ride and Clint Eastwood's Perfect World while watching the movie and even though Perfect World may be an overall better movie, something about Kevin Costner's character seemed always a little odd to me. So Costner playing a convict who is actually quite the good guy, but unfortunately misunderstood. More of a tragic figure than a ruthless villain who kidnapped a strange kid.Hugo Weaving's character is not as likable as Costner's, but that's what makes him so special. He is real. He is a bad person, but the unfortunate circumstances 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.
zippee
This is a coming of age story of two people on a road trip. A man and a boy are elementally bound and separated through their own actions over the course of their intense journey . Each of their choices resonates as a life lesson. Context is revealed in the sparing use of flashbacks: like inexact memories, past acts are recalled in short swirls, and distancing, grainy, TV blue- hues. The characters' more intentional, real-time acts take place in the redemptive, sensually saturated landscape of the Outback. I found Last Ride to be more compelling than anything I've seen this year, with 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.
mmunier
I hate rating movies, but I give this one a 10, because it deserves it. I always been a fan of Hugo Weaving and he was twice as rewarding in this movie because he was so good in it, then it seems that he stepped out of the screen and came again to have a chat with the audience with writer, producer and "Max".(as reported being done in Brisbane in an earlier entry but this was in Sydney.I also missed out on the opportunity to get the inspiring book as it was the reward for those who asked questions but I was a little shy about it!) During this time I also learned that the book for 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