Review of Balibo (2009) by Andrew D — 28 Oct 2009

If my reviews matter to anyone then can I currently emphasise that I've upgraded this film from 4 and a half to 5; just in the past week! That's good by the way.

Outstanding Australian film that deals with many (if not all) the complexities that arose from the Indonesian invasion of East Timor in 1975. The film's focus on journalists in the firing line is reminiscent of Stone's "Salavador", Spottiswoode's "Under Fire" and fellow Antipodean Weir's "Year of Living Dangerously"; while the unjust invasion and search for the truth is very much like Costa-Gavras' "Missing". All these comparisons are compliments by the way, the previously mentioned films are all some of my favourites.

I can't begin to explain how educational this film was (not in a classroom type way), as I has no idea about so much that took place in East Timor in '75. And as disturbing as those facts were, Australia's indifference to the murder of it's own countrymen is even more horrible.

A perfect mixture of investigation and flashback, this film will stay with you long into at least the 4th pint you'll drink afterwards.

Anthony LaPaglia gives easily the best performance of his career and if by any chance this film gets the wide release it deserves then here's hoping he wins the nominations and maybe even the awards he deserves. And yes, he IS Australian.

Please seek this film out if you get the chance, it's wonderful...