Review of Last Cab to Darwin (2015) by Johnny T — 15 Dec 2015

Touching, topical, emotionally raw and delicately directed, it's a heartfelt road film full of humour and pathos that never puts a foot wrong and never, ever, cheats its audience. The performances throughout resonate with authenticity. There's a lot to like in Last Cab to Darwin, not least the chance to watch Michael Caton stretching himself in a role that requires restraint of his comic gifts in favour of his dramatic ones. Of course with a road trip movie comes the usual "interesting characters met along the way" route, and it's during these detours that Last Cab to Darwin loses its way. Regardless, the macabre undertow of a man racing against time to end his life is countered with vibrant imagery, director of photography Steve Arnold's visuals awash with colours that outback Australia beckons to be captured and only adds to the curiously light tone of the film. The film shows little trace of its theatrical origins, not least because it consists of one ravishing shot of the blood-orange outback after another, and Sims wrings gentle pleasures from this most unlikely of subjects. Had Last Cab to Darwin not have Caton as its Rex, it would have been a tedious journey indeed. It's not so much the destination but the physical and emotional journey embarked on in this thoughtful, culturally authentic road trip.

VERDICT: "In The Zone" - [Mixed Reaction] These kinds of movies are usually movies that had some good things, but some bad things kept it from being amazing. This rating says buy an ex-rental or a cheap price of the DVD to own. If you consider cinema, ask for people's opinion on the film. (Films that are rated 2.5 or 3 stars).