Romulus, My Father (2007)
Moderate themes,moderate sex scenes, moderate coarse language
| Director: | Richard Roxburgh |
| Actors: | Eric Bana, Franka Potente, Marton Csokas, Kodi Smit-Mcphee, Russell Dykstra |
Romulus, My Father is an adaptation of Raimond Gaita’s award-winning memoir. It tells the story of Romulus (Eric Bana), his wife Christina (Franka Potente) and their struggle in the face of great adversity to bring up their son, Raimond (Kodi Smit-McPhee). The story moves between comedy and tragedy and is rich with the details of the migrant experience of life in Australia in the early 1960s. At the heart of the film is the relationship between Raimond and his father, set against the profound tragedy of his mother, Christina’s descent into depression and ultimate death.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 104mins |
| Origin: | AUSTRALIA |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |
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Member Reviews (146)
146 Member
Reviews
Bambalorna
says
Excellent movie. The hard knocks of a boy growing up.
Rosena
says
A brilliant tale of love and pain
Robin
says
A slow gentle movie. Well acted.
Carole
says
This movie kept my interest all the way through, the characters were well played and felt "real". A movie I could see again.
John Walsh
says
Excellent story and great acting by Eric Banna
anne
says
I thought this was a moving and well acted film
Sue
says
An intriguing and interesting story, from the real life experiences of one of the characters. Better than expected.
Geraldine
says
I love watching Australian Movies, this one was well worth watching. It was sad in places love Eric B he played a great part.
Maria
says
Excellent movie. Strong themes real life situations Well worth seeing
Yvonne
says
I saw this a few years back, read the book, watched it again, and had more appreciation for it.
alison
says
Highly likeable small scale Aussie film very watchable Eric Bana Great
Ang
says
Hard movie to follow. Movie was very quiet and could not hear some of the conversations.
McLovin
says
Great story of first generation migrants living in a small town, and of the issues involved in all of life. It started slow but once under way it was quite enjoyable. Well done Aussie Film Industry.
Jean
says
speaking does not line up with lips moving.
Steven
says
Probably one of the most BORING and CONFUSING movies that I have seen. What a croc!! What was all the hoo haa about. Only outdone (or Underdone) by The Picnic at Hanging Rock.
Sueby
says
A good, honest real life movie. Well done Eric Bana!
Melissa
says
I didn't quite know what to make of this movie. It was confusing and hard to follow in spots. Eric Bana was wonderful - as always - but the plot was very hard to follow. I can see how movie buffs would appreciate the cinematography and directing ... but for the average viewer (such as myself and my husband), it was a bit too arty for our liking. I expected it to be more enjoyable than it was.
Holly_wood
says
I had looked forward to seeing this movie since it was released in theatres but didn't get around to seeing it.
Now Im glad I didn't. It is a TERRIBLY slow film, with no clear 'viewpoint', purpose, conclusion or outcome. I wanted to turn it off after 15 min, but thought it might have been deliberately slow (to help make the pace of a faster part of the coming storyline noticibly different). I was wrong !!
Perhaps the point was all the terrible things the child endured? Maybe he went on to be a high achiever or success and including this in the movie would have tied it together??
Sandra E.
says
A nice film on how poverty can affect your lives it is a film that you really have to follow, but it was an enjoyable film don't know if I could watch it again though. But saying all that the actors playrd their parts really well.
Fulcrum
says
So boring that I started to fastforward the pointless scenes where the camera watched someone riding a motorcycle, or driving a car, or running down a road for way too long. Enough of 'the great Aussie landscape' already (got enough of that in 'Australia')! But if you like the idea of a story about a boy watching the adults around him disintergrate then this is the movie for you. The ending disappointed. Bana was great.
Mara
says
Was an interesting movie though I wouldn't go out of my way to watch it.
David
says
A solid movie, very believable and watchable. Perhaps a little slow and predictable in parts. Eric Bana carries the struggling migrant role well. Good insight into mental illness - an underrated issue in our society.
Tracey
says
a bit slow, but a good movie
Jenn B.
says
My husband didn't really like this movie - but that was more coz of the struggles they faced (he thought too depressing), but I loved how they showed the love of the father/son and even father/mother DESPITE the struggles.
Jaye
says
A nice story. Intriguing enough to keep watching but very slow.
Helen
says
Nicely shot, very evocative light and scenery, but wasn't sure where this one was going. Story seemed like a lost cause right from the beginning, and things didn't really develop much. Nicely acted even if the characters were a bit tough to take at times.
Stimpy
says
Maybe it has a good story in it, but it moved so slow and lacked enough interest to hold me to it.
Lynne H.
says
just awful. not for the family
Louiza
says
brilliant - must see
Louiza
says
brilliant film
John
says
Very disappointing and depressing film. The dialogue was sparse, relying mostly on Bana's collection of moody looks and some beautiful (yawn) landscape cinematography. The most interesting character in the film (the local dero) only got two lines and other minor but potentially interesting players such as the neighbour (who drove them everywhere) and the headmaster didn't get a peep. I found this film really frustrating and annoying, surely it's time our screenwriters wrote dialogue instead of screen directions.
Luisa E.
says
A bit slow. Didn't have as much impact as espected.
Alison R.
says
I found this movie quite depressing, and was waiting for the hope...that never came.
Anna-Claudia N.
says
This movie is well worth watching, from the memorable performances to the magnificent directing and cinematography.
Let's the audience experience the struggles of not only a family migrating to a new Country but of struggles that can effect many people. Beautiful script. Highly recommended.
Kerry E.
says
An absolutely wonderful movie, great acting by both Eric Bana and Smith- McPhee, although somewhat of a tragic story I would highly recommend it.
Tania
says
Found this movie compelling and interesting
Brendan
says
A very good Australian film, based on a true story. Stars Eric Bana. Quite depressing thinking about what the boy went through - not a film you are likely to be uplifted by
Nicole
says
This was very interesting but you get caught every now and then when it jumps in time. Worth watching its very different
Tracey
says
I found this a bit quirky but fantastic acting by all.
Wesley P.
says
I actually really enjoyed this film, I was not expecting that I would. It was beautiful and haunting I would actually recommend people to give it a chance
Lisa
says
I really enjoyed this movie, it is quite slow moving and a bit of a tear jerker so I wouldn't recommend watching with a hangover!
Ben
says
Not as good as I'd been led to believe from all the hype. The acting is good, but the story is so slow we ended up wishing it were over halfway through.
Barbara B.
says
Too depressing, took a while to get the plot started, very slow movie, all about infedelity, did't even finish watching the movie!!!
Laine G.
says
This movie bored me to tears and I thought Eric Bana was pretty transparent in it too - he can't ever seem to truly shake his Aussie accent and the whole time all I can think of is his character "Poita" on Full Frontal/Fast Forward from back in the day :P I know there will be heaps of people who disagree with me on this one but I feel he has trouble getting into character in recent years and it surprises me that he is getting so many big roles. Anyway it didn't help that I wasn't in the mood for watching this sort of film at the time and returned it before actually ever watching the end (yep - I fell asleep watching it!) There is definitely an audience for this film though so if you think this is the sort of film you enjoy watching then it may be worth giving it a go.
Jen S.
says
This is a great movie, it made me feel sad but I felt the acting was brilliant. A different kind of love story. Always good to see an Aussie Movie and looks like it was based on a true story too?
Jane
says
found this movie extremely boring and quite depressing
MR.
says
Not a bad film. I found it a bit slow in parts but it was a good movie for a lazy evening.
Sue
says
Slow moving story but did enjoy it.
John
says
Slow, uninteresting.
Gillian E.
says
Sad and beautiful wtih convincing performances. Highly recommended.
Margaret
says
This is an excellent movie looking into the life of European immigrants set in the late 1940's early 1950's. It is heart rendering so be prepared for tears.
Barbara
says
The story line was a little hard to follow at times. However the movie is worth a watch if only for the recipe of how to boil an egg in the bush if you don't have any water. We always have alot to learn from our New Australians.
Don
says
A particularly brilliant film, extremely real -- not surprisingly, since it is a film of an autobiography. The real star is the child, Raimond, whose face bears an unbelievable resemblance to that of Sigrid Thornton. -- As a person who arrived in Australia in January 1962, I found the depiction of Victoria as it was in 1961 according to the film, startlingly honest and realistic. As a clinical psychologist with experience working in a psychiatric hospital, I find the depiction of Romulus also very real. The plot of the film is, simply, life as it really was, through the eyes of the author of the book on which the film is based. No holds barred. The photograpy is beautifully done; the acting of all the principal actors is superb, that of the actors in lesser roles is also very good.
Helen H.
says
What a dreary film. Characters for whom I had absolutely not one jot of empathy. It was more like the 1930s in the middle of the Depression, rather than the Swinging 60s.
Peter M.
says
Cinematically beautiful film with great acting by all cast members. However the story is very depressing. Worth watching but best to choose it when you are feeling emotionally strong.
Craig T.
says
I only lasted half way through this thing, didn't get it, storyline seemed random, maybe it gets better at the end??
Nigel W.
says
I surprisingly good movie focusing on childhood, the immigrant experience and family woes. Although set in the early sixties it had the look and feel of a much earlier period. As usual in this type of thing the kid steals the show.
Raymond M.
says
Very slow moving movie but quite interesting to see how the migrants handled living in this country back in the 1960's and the struggles that were put in front of them. Very interesting viewing.
Nidia I.
says
Excellent, Australian movie Very heart felt, but great eye opener of history and its struggles. Eric Bana played a great role and done a great job. Usually Aussie movies are not quite my type (standard wise) but this movie touch me and highly recommend it.
Annick V.
says
Beautiful, moving film - great story, wonderful depiction of what life must have been like for some migrants in the1960s. Story holds you right to the end... we wanted more!
Bernadette B.
says
Technically a good movie - excellent acting (especially by the young boy - what an awesome performance), beautifully filmed and a great period feel. The let down for me is the story: not very much happens and what is portrayed is so monumentally depressing that the film drags more than it should. The book has more light and shade moments whereas the film is pretty much all dark and dreary.
Timothy B.
says
Horribly depressing at times this is a powerful movie with an excellent performance by Eric Bana as a man broken and rebuilt. Capturing the loneliness of remote rural life and using some stunning long camera shots this is a beautiful movie.
Paige Rushton
says
The first thing you notice about this film is that the imagery is stunning. They've managed to make the harsh parts of Australia look picturesque. It also displays the best child performance I've seen - sure hope he goes somewhere with his acting career. Each character was well created and interesting to watch.
Donna Nagel
says
Great movie , well worth watching.A real ' eye opener ' about early migrants in AUSTRALIA.Beautifully filmed.Story was a bit sad at times but ultimately a TRIUMPH of human spirit - made more touching considering it was based on the true story.ALL ACTORS played fantastic parts - especially Eric BANA and the boy ( can't recall his name ) RECOMMENDED viewing
John N.
says
Raimond, aged 10, is living with his father, Romulous, in a rough homestead on a small property in central Victoria. He came to Australia when he was 3 with his German mother, Christina, and his Rumanian-speaking father. His mother has left his father to live with the brother of his father's best friend, Hora. She comes to visit occasionally but her behaviour is odd and he can never rely on her. Sometimes she's playful and light-hearted, at other times, silent and depressed. His father finds it hard not to lose his temper with her. But in general the boy leads a happy life, cycles to school in Maryborough, and has a border collie to play with. Working the land is hard and his father is always desperately short of money, and, of course, lonely. His father's friend, Hora, comes to visit and tries to get his father interested in a girl he knows, but nothing comes of that. Episodic in the later stages, this story badly needed to be filled out, even at the expense of authenticity. As it is, it's just not eventful enough to sustain the interest and entertainment expected of a full-length feature. The scenes with Franka Potente, with a not very rewarding role, injects life into the movie whenever she appears, but it is hard to get to grips with her character when we are given no indication as to the origin of her insanity or the reason for her leaving her husband. It may be the boy's story but we still need to know the family background to become absorbed in his relationship with his father.
Sean D.
says
Bana is outstanding in this true story. He really has grown in to his own. An amazing talent
Heide E.
says
Another one of those "little" Aussie films which makes you glad you "ticked" it! Excellent acting and story line, perhaps a bit slow for young people, but we loved it.
Maria C.
says
A well made movie with good acting and good cast. The movie also consisted of superb rural settings and stunning use of light in the outdoor shots.
Barry S.
says
well i just think this film was a waste of time...i was waiting for it to commence and it finished..thankfully
Mel
says
Absolute twaddle. A very depressing movie the comedy absolutely escaped me
Trevor T.
says
Eric Banna, you are terrific
Kendal F.
says
Wonderful. Australian film at its best. Terrific photography, the sort of shots Australians have built a reputation on. Haunting at times and it takes you into the life of a family of migrants and the issues that impacted on them. No false sentimentalism. Acting top rate
Col D.
says
Serious and very sad movie. Well acted. The various episodes in the lives of the characters were difficult to follow in the context of the whole movie.
Marcia R.
says
Kate C.
says
This is an excellent movie, although it reflects only a fraction of the book. It is probably not a 'commercial' film/story, but intensely interesting for anyone interested in the migrant experience of the 50s-60s, I enjoyed it immensely.
Barbara Jane C.
says
enjoyed the acting especially by the child and thought it an understated and powerful account of growing up in difficult circumstances of that time
Gerd H.
says
Beautifully filmed, but that’s about all that lifts this from an average movie at best. Nothing much happens and not a lot is said. Despite vague accents, the “new Australians” here don’t sound as if they’ve recently arrived.
Karen B.
says
Poignant and haunting without being cloying: you can really feel what the characters are going through. The connection between Eric Bana and Kodi Smits as father and son was beautiful. Highly recommended.
Pauline M.
says
Rather a sad movie but worth watching.
Alison M.
says
Andrew H.
says
Beautfully shot and well acted. Great to see Eric Bana doing local quality films still.
Adam C.
says
Nothing happened. I waited till the end but... nothing. I needed more story.
Jeff M.
says
Lisa R.
says
Sara H.
says
Beautifully shot but ultimately a depressing tale of a migrants life (and the consequences of untreated depression) in rural Victoria in the 1960s.
Jennie F.
says
A bit disjointed I thought but an I having grown up in a small town in the 50's and 60's I could relate as there seemed to be few of these " strange" people in our town and even as i child I could sense their lonliness and disconnectedness. Eric Banna was good as always
Chas P.
says
Depressing
Rhoda J.
says
Very moving story - highly recommended.
Alex H.
says
This a story about an imigration family trying to make a life farming in the outback. The young son battles with his oldfashioned father who's wife is a nymphomaniac. A wounderfuly constructed story evolves. Great acting. A must see film.
Barbara S.
says
Vicki S.
says
eric bana is a surprise packet every movie gone is" poiter"and is his place is a strong mature actor. the movie is all unknowns but brilliantlly acted .a snapshot of how life was in the early 60s ..damn hard
Gina T.
says
Shirley R.
says
Enjoyable but a little dragged out and I wondered what the point of the whole movie was at the end. Little strange.
Paul C.
says
Boring...... i dont think a stroy line like this would ever be very good. Only positive was making me appreciate my decent standard of living in comparison to how it was in those days.
MAR
says
Boring and depressing.
Janet
says
This film tries to show the life and qualities of the father, Romulus, through the eyes of his son - the tough times for the new immigrants to the harsh countryside of Australia.
I was a bit disappointed with this film. I feel it was lacking some major points - it has made me rush out and buy the book - as I feel that there is a lot more than this movie could convey to what seems to me to be a fascinating story.
Eric Bana gave a reasonable portrayal of the father, but the other actors were good - the boy, the mother and the friends.
Robert E.
says
Enjoyable. Compared to the book the film features the sad event of Raimond Gaita's childhood more than Gaita's respect for the character of his father and is somewhat the lesser for that but is none-the-less well worth watching.
Rebecca B.
says
Well made, evocative film, however I seemed to have missed the "comedy" aspects referred to in the movie description. An interesting exploration of migrant life, work and relationships in 1960s Australia. Makes us realise that life is good these days!
Terence B.
says
Truly enjoyable and quality Aistralian film with fine acting, great photography, and sensitive treatment of real cultural issues. Fidelity, perseverance and forgiveness are strong themes.
Bill
says
Eric Bana is outstanding, and the child Eric Smit-McPhee is something else - natural and affecting. Not an overt movie and perhaps underplayed a little too much - the editor could have injected a little more continuity between scenes. However, subtle and memorable.
Cliiford G.
says
great movie good storyline good acting
Kerrie M.
says
A fabulous movie, well worth watching.
Kim W.
says
I enjoyed this but it didn't keep me glued to the screen. It was very slow-moving and if I had one complaint it's that the characters weren't explored further.
Tracy H.
says
Eric Bana does a wonderful job acting in this movie
Debra K.
says
It was a real eye opener, what a struggle early settlers had. An enjoyable movie.
Dean M.
says
I really enjoyed this movie, it was very well shot, and a very touching film. Worth watching.
Phill D.
says
Karl P.
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Piya A.
says
Scott H.
says
wonderful exploration of adults getting it wrong in the early 60's (good old days??).
Helen
says
Not quite what I was expecting.... excellent acting, but the movie ended up being a bit slow for me.
Axel B.
says
Romeo
says
Romulus, my father was a thought provoking movie. It really lets you into the the life of children dealing with parents who suffer from clinical depression and how you can rise above your problems.
Debra W.
says
Howard R.
says
Too depressing to be enjoyed for entertainment.
Jennifer L.
says
Angie B.
says
Lovely movie. Pretty slow start but if you stick with it it's very rewarding
Julie S.
says
This is beautifully filmed and all the performances bring the loneliness, isolation and harshness of the Australian bush to life. Extremely moving - and, an amazing performance from a young boy I am positive we will see much more from in the future.
Greg M.
says
It's a little slow but worth it for an aussie movie.(Different)
Rochelle D.
says
Thoroughly enjoyed the movie - young actor is briiliant! You'll need a few hankies....
Susan R.
says
Ross G.
says
I know that this is a popular Australian movie and i thought it started well but in the end it became so so. Did not particularly like how it panned out. apparently a true story!
Sue Y.
says
Thought provoking and made me think of when I immigrated to Australia in 1964. But my life was easy. Lived in the city, easy to get a job, nice house, no struggles. Must have been hard for the Gaita family. Excellent performance by Eric Bana.
Missy M.
says
I really didn't expect such high quality from an Aussie drama. Highly recommended.
Chris J.
says
Just another depressing Australian film. Why do Australian's only believe they can make quirky comedies and ultra-depressing cry fests?
Amanda M.
says
it was a great movie very sad in some places and also funny would recommend this movie as one of the best ive seen in a long time.
Judy D.
says
Peter F.
says
Excellent for an evening's viewing of fine drama...starts out slowly and builds up to an inevitable ending...supposedly set in the Marybourgh/Ballarat region, theres plenty of nostalgia for the '60s buffs here.
Peter F.
says
Excellent for an evening's viewing of fine drama...starts out slowly and builds up to an inevitable ending...supposedly set in the Marybourgh/Ballarat region, theres plenty of nostalgia for the '60s buffs here.
Leearna B.
says
It was a bit slow moving and lacked direction but the Australian scenery and history were great.
Maralyn J B.
says
Excellent evocation of the book. Captured the era, the Australianness of evrything.
Eduardo M.
says
How this film ever won the 'Best Movie' award just shows the state of the industry in this country. If not for the presence of young newcomer Kody Smit-McPhee I would have been battling to find anything good about this film. All the other actors looking bored & mumbling away as they are completely upstaged by this young man.
Joyce D.
says
Quite a Heavy movie - nonetheless BRILLIANT Highly Recomended
Leroiter
says
Good & Interesting, solid Aussie film. It was based on real life and if it hadn't been, it wouldn't have been very interesting. See it for Eric Bana's performance, he's great.
Noel P.
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Moira W.
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Marion D.
says
A well done movie, but very sad and deals with the difficult issue of suicide in a number of instances.
Deborah H.
says
Beautifully filmed, incredibly well acted, painful to watch. Highly recommended.
Amanda O.
says
Was ok. Acting very good - but it seemed a little slow in parts - didn't really disturb me, this story is common place with todays society. Its worth a watch though.
Alison P.
says
I loved this film from beginning to end. Even my husband, who watched it reluctantly, was completely engrossed. Every character was completely believable, especially Kodi Smit-McPhee who plays the young boy, Raimond Gaita, and the setting authentically captured the spirit of the time.
Andy O.
says
What a consumate catalogue of miseries...tragedy upon tragedy until your mind is so numb with it all you just want to run outside and smell the roses, listen to the birds. Five for the acting, which is superb, especially Eric Bana (hard to believe he started out as a sketch show comedian) and the young boy (Kodi Smit-McPhee). But a big zero for entertainment value — bloody depressing. So a score of three.
John C.
says
the cinematography is beautifully done
James F.
says
An excellent Aussie drama. Very well acted, a very moving story, and above all based on real life.
Donelle T.
says
The struggles of poverty-stricken migrants set in country Victoria in the 1960's is realistically treated and includes Bana's best performance to date and Kodi the child actor is astonishing. World class in every way.
Siobhan W.
says
Whilst at times distressing and heartbreaking this is definitely worth watching, as it is based on actual people and events.
W B O.
says
Absolutely beautiful movie with stunning performances by all involved. Gorgeous direction and cinematography made it visually stunning and a great script and strong performances, especially from the young kid playing Raimond made it very memorable.