Genres

Visitors Review

Glenn Kenny 2012-05-25 16:35:16

The movie's thriller hook is really just that: a hook, a pretext on which to hang some remarkably conceived and executed characterizations.

David Elliott 2012-05-25 09:15:10

Lantana has more than the usual dramatic quota of unhappiness, but it's alive in each scene, beautifully shot, and directed by Lawrence with fierce care for subtleties.

2012-05-15 17:40:14

Overlooked yet Overrated

I always have a hard time connecting to these big ensemble pieces dealing with marital relationships. For example, I always thought "The Ice Storm" was missing something, and even parts of the mostly intriguing "Magnolia" seemed a little hackneyed. So coming out of Ray Lawrence's "Lantana", I wasn't in the least bit surprised to find myself completely unmoved. Dr. Valerie Somers (Barbara Hershey) is a psychiatrist and author of a book about her daughter's death (entitled "Elanor"). One night, she disappears off of the main road. Detective Leon Zat (Anthony LaPaglia), whose wife Sonja (Kerry Armstrong) visits Dr. Somers regularly to talk about their relationship, is called in to investigate the case. The problem with that is thus: the main suspect is the neighbor of the woman he is having an affair with (Jane O'May, played by Rachael Blake). He constantly grills Dr. Somers' husband John Knox (Geoffrey Rush) to find out more about his wife's "emotional state". I think that is enough for me to say before I ruin some of the film's few surprises. "Lantana" is undoubtedly a strongly acted film. Kerry Armstrong and Geoffrey Rush in particular, who for the most part are at the receiving end of the emotional blows, are solid. Barbara Hershey, Rachael Blake and Anthony LaPaglia also bring the film to a slightly higher level. The film is also well shot. The film's opening shots, first of a lantana bush then zooming in on a lifeless body, are eerie and almost haunting. However, although the cinematography of "Lantana" is well crafted, there are continuous long, lazy shots of this lantana bush that appear one too many times and push its symbolism way too much. That was a thorn in the side of crafty, although not all together innovative, cinematography. The plotting of "Lantana" is, to be honest, complex and intricate. However, it is this intricacy that ultimately proves to be the film's downfall. It seems it would rather be content with weaving in and out of various relationships than letting us connect with any of them. We know how the relationships stack up, but we have no feeling for any of it. We are told how the characters feel about each other, but since the development of each one is so rushed, we can know nothing about the individuals. Yet, by the end, "Lantana" expects us to care deeply about each person, even those ones who have little significance in the big picture. "Lantana" is a well controlled, almost masterfully handled film. Ray Lawrence knows exactly how he wants to get where he wants to go, but takes one too many shortcuts. I was involved with "Lantana", but was untouched by it; I walked out of the theater feeling cold. Films like this are often well done but are almost always forgetting one thing: that a relationship stems out of two individuals, the individuals cannot necessarily be defined by their relationships alone. In "Lantana", we do not get real human beings, instead merely shadows.

1slater 2012-05-15 07:18:56

Good Movie!

Why can't all movies be this intelligent, and well-acted? Everyoneinvolved with this movie deserves kudos. In fact, I was surprised to seethat it was based on a play; usually film adaptations are stagey andstatic.When I watch flicks like this it disgusts me to think how little money ittook to film this and how much it took to film a piece of s*** like "PearlHarbor". Isn't anyone else tired of having their intelligence insulted?

Ethan Field 2012-05-13 12:34:39

Another polished Australian Cop-Drama

I am starting to think that the Australian film industry is obsessed withthe under-belly of its police force! Some latent penal colony socialdisorder, I wonder? Following in the footsteps of such previous TV copdramas as E-Street, Blue Murder, Wildside, Murder-call and the currentlyrunning Young Lions, this complex character piece is a worthy culmination ofAustralian TV's work on the subject matter. The opening scene's depiction ofa dead body encased in the twisted, interconnected vines of a Lantana bushprovides the visual symbolism for what is to follow. It is the connectionsbetween people that is the focus of this piece. What pulls us together andwhat rips us apart. Stress and violence, judgment and resentment, trust andloyalty. Well acted, deftly directed and a worthy story make this a treat. Somescenes shot around the Balmain area made me home-sick!

Rod-54 2012-05-13 08:21:03

Cliches dressed up to be taken seriously

After reading rave reviews of this film I was very disappointed. Thefirst hour is hard work as it serves up numerous disparate characters withno clear plot line. The characters do become embroiled in the second half,however, and the story is then more engrossing. The short sequences and thequick changes of scene and circumstance, particularly in the first half,along with the overall filming style all flatter the audience for itsintelligence. Yet what is there in this film that is intelligent? Itoffers no philosophical nor any sociological insight that is not betterprovided in other films. The only thing approaching insight is the wife'scomplaint in the central relationship that, when her husband has an affairthe true betrayal is that he doesn't tell her about it. Nothing here thatyou won't find in a prime time sitcom or a thousand hollywood romances. Butis it true or representative? I doubt it. The film proudly displays ethnic diversity amongst its characters. But there is no ethnic diversity in their attitudes to marital behaviour andloyalty. This is complete garbage. More Hollywood via a "cultural cringe"from a non-Hollywood film. Southern European attitudes, for example, weredone much better in the Godfather series. All this said, the performances are strong. They tell us to take thestory and the ideas seriously. But at that level the film is vacuous. Agreat disappointment.

Michael Dequina 2012-05-05 08:13:18

Love is indeed the greatest mystery, and it's a bit unfortunate that the filmmakers weren't content to simply explore that quandary instead of manufacturing another.

Daniel Secomb 2012-05-04 16:28:07

Very unique. Kept me guessing right to the end. Fascinating!

Congratulations on 7 AFI Awards including Best Picture, Best Director,BestActor and Best Actress.Plot is very unique. Cast was well chosen. I was transfixed and impactedbythe raw emotion that this film embodied. Kept me guessing right to theend.Absolutely fascinating!

OtisFine 2012-04-28 10:03:25

Exceptional film.

Great performances. Great story. IMDB voters are on the money again. Isaw the previews and didn't think it would be very good but I honestly wasblown away. Couldn't stop thinking about it. Movies like this are few andfar between.

sdl-2 2012-04-27 23:24:51

Wake me up when it's over

A foreign-film-hater's stereotype come to life, Lantana is a well-made butpainfully boring soap opera that avoids the Hollywood cliche's at the priceof zero entertainment value. It's a shame to see great actors like GeoffreyRush waste their time on an uninspired yawn-fest like this. Rent Quills,Shine, or anything else with Rush and see what he's capable of given ahalfway inspired script.

Arthur Lazere 2012-04-27 08:28:30

Well-realized characterizations are undermined by the strained and artificial developments of the plot.

cpooge 2012-04-27 05:08:11

One of my favorite films of 2001

I thought this was one of the better Australian releases on the year, notonly because of the ensemble cast that acted to near perfection, but alsobecause of the well rounded story that offered a twist on every corner. Itwas good to see a story that offered something a little different comparedto the Hollywood norm.With a remarkable story, and great character development, this is one ofthose must see movies for all people.

SallyDrell 2012-04-20 12:16:45

An enigmatic name for an unusual movie

Where is Lantana? It's a complex place of constant plot twists and turns,with the director seemingly losing control of the goings on until the centerstarts to cohere. It starts with a love scene (that's not a spoiler, thereare so many films containing love scenes,) but I won't tell you about thehumorous elements of the love scenes...be pleasantly surprised. Nor will Itell you the roller-coaster details your emotions will enjoy (or not,) but Iwill alert you to some brilliant performances, particularly by BarbaraHershey. At first, I didn't recognize her as the psychologist dealing withthe loss of a murdered daughter and a disintegrating marriage whilecounselling a difficult patient. But, eventually, I realized it was, indeed,Ms. Hershey. It's the best work of her career, and the central role of thefilm. Geoffrey Rush, as her husband, does some great acting, and the restof the performances are gems, even the child actors. The only criticism Ihave of the film is that The Method is a tad overused, in the sense that alot of the early dialogue is inaudible. Let's face it, it's a drag to strainto hear the words, and the temptation is to tune out rather than look tonon-verbal cues to follow the characterizations. Expressions are important,but, (yawn,) language has its charms, too, as the great screenwriter of"Lantana" would attest. Eventually the diction sharpens, and the film picksup accordingly. The editing and music are expertly utilized to propel theconvoluted comedy/farce/tragedy forward, and the director brilliantly bringsall the players together in a masterful way. It's not too far a stretch tocompare "Lantana" to a symphony of relationships that is totallysatisfying...with the actors the instruments expertly led by an original andtalented conductor. Wouldn't surprise me a bit to learn if that's his hobby,outside of directing. I highly recommend "Lantana." Relationships aren'teasy, to summarize: sometimes funny, sometimes desperate, sometimesevanescent, but always, they're the only things that make life interestingor even worth living. This film is music to my ears...and eyes. A trulyunique and wonderful composition. Oh, by the way, the accents of the actorswill keep you wondering just where Lantana really is. :)

creston 2012-04-19 20:46:40

moving study of human relationships

This film is no doubt one of the best I've seen this year. It isbeautiful,moving, well written, and almost haunting. I was hooked by the amazingdepictions of the characters' struggles with themselves and those aroundthem, and also by the police investigation, the conclusion of which is sosimple, yet so unpredictable, thanks to the makers' astonishing ability tomake you think what their characters are thinking. This film was almostcompletely faultless. See it, if not for the film itself, then for thebrilliant performances. Sure, the pace may be slow, but it only makes youfeel that you're spending more time inside this world, which is toogrippingto leave. I didn't look at my watch once, which is unusual. If you're inEngland this summer, see this instead of crap like Eight Legged Freaks orThe Sum Of All Fears, because it is far more worth yourwhile.

Frank Swietek 2012-04-13 19:22:54

While the contrivances tend to pile up rather uncomfortably...the picture is saved (though barely) by its remarkable leads.

Adam-95 2012-04-13 09:07:32

One of the best of 2001

This came as a complete surprise to me. It's a rich and rewardingdrama involving the circuitous events entwining a group ofcharacters in a suburb of Sydney. Reminded me quite a bit ofAltman and Kieslowski's works but in the best way. Intimate andabsorbing through and through thanks to an accomplished cast. Each performance hits not a false note. And it's great to seeBarbara Hershey in a juicy role again.

2012-04-11 07:46:23

A Great Character-Driven Piece of Filmmaking

As 'Lantana' begins, we see through a long camera shot a dead body in the midst of thick shrubbery. We don't know who this person is or how the death happened. But we will learn this and much, much more.Australian policeman Leon Zat (Anthony LaPaglia) is a man stumbling through life. He is in poor health, he is cheating on his wife Sonja (Kerry Armstrong), and can no longer relate to his sons and their problems. Sonja, having her own problems, seeks the help of a psychiatrist named Valerie (Barbara Hershey). Valerie has just written a book that chronicles the death of her young daughter. Valerie's husband John (Geoffrey Rush) is distant, but hiding an inner anger. At one point in the film, Valerie confronts him, telling him that he's not dealing with their daughter's death at all. He tells her that he is, he just doesn't have to write a book about it.Zat's lover Jane (Racheal Blake) is a strange woman who is separated from her husband. She wants nothing to do with him. Living next door to Jane is the only happily married couple in the film, Nik and Paula. Or are they really happily married?The characters and the situation I've described sounds like a bad soap opera. Far from it. Director Ray Lawrence takes all of these seemingly unrelated characters and shows us not only what they have in common, but how our lives can turn out if we're not careful. It is surprising how easy the plot is to follow with all these characters. You're never sitting there watching the film thinking, "Now, who is this man?" Concentrate instead on what the characters are thinking and feeling. By doing this, you can tap into the depth of the characters and their sad and sometimes tragic lives. 'Lantana' is, if nothing else, a powerful look into the potential darkness that hides in each of us. But the film is much more. 'Lantana' is not as interested in solving the mystery of who was killed and why as it is in bringing the audience to understand what's going on in the heads of these amazingly lifelike characters. 'Lantana' is an amazing film. It's not a flashy film, but you'll think about it long after the final scene, which by the way is a microcosm of the entire film. Amazing stuff. Running time 2 hours 1 minute

rjkelly-1 2012-04-11 03:15:57

The film noir backdrop, the quirky coincidental interaction of the characters, and various familial relationship make this film a joy to watch unfold.

The technical aspects of the film are terrific but the coincidentalcriss-crossing of the characters make this film a real treat. It neverbefuddles but has a quiet astounding feature to it. The commentary abouttherelationships of the various characters have with the mates friends andpeople in the street could come off as very much a gimmick, but it is sointelligently handled that you can't help but become totally involved.

cuckookachoo 2012-04-10 18:16:50

zzzzzz...

My wife and I got a good night's sleep the other night, trying to watchthisuninvolving snoozer. Painfully boring, this movie plods along followingthelives of uninteresting people who live very uninteresting lives. Anincidentoccurs one night (after an hour of the film) that somehow ties them alltogether. The setup was boring. The incident was boring. The ending wasboring. This was a painful movie that went absolutely nowhere. You wantcharacter study (as I've heard this film described as)? Go rent "You CanCount On Me".

george.schmidt 2012-04-10 05:56:10

A SMALL GEM OF A MOVIE

LANTANA (2001) ***1/2 Anthony LaPaglia, Kerry Armstrong, Geoffrey Rush,Barbara Hershey, Rachael Blake, Peter Phelps, Vince Colosimo, DaniellaFarinacci.Smartly woven interplay of characters overlapping infidelities, implosiveviolence and impulsive choices mixed with a keen adult edge in this eroticthriller that echoes Robert Altman's "Short Cuts" with LaPaglia at hiscareer best, arguably his best onscreen work to date, as a conflicted familyman/Aussie police detective embroiled with a passionate affair with listlessArmstrong on the verge of divorce and a not so rosy outlook on herpresent/future states. A shrewd gem of a movie that has multi-layers atits surface value which turns on a dime and its gradual pace makes theviewer only wanting more to be revealed. Based on the play "Speaking inTongues" by Andrew Bovell, who adapted his own work here. (Dir: RayLawrence)