Review of The Water Diviner (2014) by Mark C — 28 Dec 2014

I have to admit to having a real dislike for Russell Crowe as a human being so I went to see his debut as a Director, The Water Diviner, hoping I would dislike it. But I have to say it was a bloody good first effort on his part and a stonking good yarn as well.

However unlikely the story, and although it claimed to be inspired by real life events, I have severe doubts that most of it ever happened, it was still very entertaining, beautifully photographed and very well acted despite Crowe basically playing the same character he always plays albeit in a different setting.

A tad overly sentimental perhaps but I defy anyone not to shed a few tears especially if you have sons. But why oh why are all Englishmen in Australian made movies about the First World War always displayed as such unabashed upper-class buffoons.

It does get a bit tiresome after a while and is one of the few racial stereotypes that appears not to concern the politically correct lobby. All in all a great way of spending a couple of hours especially if you are an Australian who loves the whole Gallipoli saga.