Romulus, My Father Review
Posted by Chad Webb on 03.08.2008
The successful Australian film that more people should see.
Eric Bana: Romulus
Franka Potente: Christina
Kodi Smit-McPhee: Raimond
Martin Csokas: Hora
Russell Dykstra: Mitru
Jacek Koman: Vacek
Alethea McGrath: Mrs. Lillie
Esme Melville: Miss Collard
Terry Norris: Tom Lillie
Veronica Sywak: Lidia Vucovik
Directed By: Richard Roxburgh
Written By: Nick Drake
Release Date: February 29, 2008
Running Time: 104 minutes
Rated R for sexuality, some violence and brief language.
There should be a term for the films that lay in theaters for one week, receive little to no box office business, and then disappear for months until they pop up on DVD. We have all seen them walking through our local video rental stores. These selections might get one or two spaces on the shelf, if that, but more often than not, they have an extra special something to offer the viewer who takes the time to look past the wide releases. Many people rent based on the stars, instead of popularity of the title, and when they discover an independent hit that is commendable, but previously unheard of, it should prompt them to spread the word. With an extremely limited engagement, Romulus, My Father falls into this ditch. While it is not spotless, this is a heart wrenchingly powerful family drama.
The story follows Raimond (Kodi Smit-McPhee), a ten year old child who lives in Australia in the 1960's. He lives with his father Romulus (Eric Bana). His mother Christina (Franka Potente) does not live with them permanently. Both parents are immigrants from Germany. Christina does visit on occasion to spend some quality time with Raimond, and possibly sleep with her husband, but he is not the only man in her life. She also has an intimate relationship with Mitru (Russell Dykstra), the brother of Romulus' best friend, Hora (Martin Csokas). Christina’s darting in an out of Raimond and Romulus’ life takes its toll on the family. In addition, she becomes mentally unstable herself after she finds herself pregnant with a new baby to bring into the world. Her deteriorating state of health causes a chain reaction that leads Romulus downhill and eventually into a mental collapse. As Raimond watches his parents struggle, he tries to reaffirm the bond between he and his father.
In my review of The Other Boleyn Girl, I praised Eric Bana for how much he has matured and honed his skills over the last few years. As Romulus, my statement is further proven and supported as this is his best performance alongside his unforgettable work in Munich. This might be one of the most brilliant turns you’ll never hear about. The manner in which Bana portrays this father and husband, who is stuck raising a son practically alone, while simultaneously bottling up his anger in the midst of his wife’s alternate flings, is just unsettling and spot-on accurate. It is truthful because he is still madly in love with her, so much so that despite countless arguments, he cannot muster the strength to toss her to the street entirely. He suffers internally, and has trouble really unleashing the fury on Christina that she deserves. The fact that Bana is Australian further enhances his abilities in this picture. He is certainly here to stay.
Remember the name Kodi Smit-McPhee because all audiences are likely to catch him in the credits of films in the future. He is Raimond, and this profound account centers around him, and that is important in understanding and sympathizing with the technique and intentions of the story structure. The resiliency and bravery that Raimond endures in light of his family’s constant dilemmas is amazing, and Smit-McPhee conveys such an honest and captivating sense of what a child takes and soaks in during such strenuous times. He is a dominating presence beside his acclaimed co-stars, and has no trouble standing as tall as they do in terms of acting. Not since Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun, or Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense have I witnessed such a gifted youngster so dedicated and adept on screen. He is now working on The Road, a new Cormac McCarthy adaptation directed by John Hillcoat (The Proposition).
Franka Potente is one of the most consistent, yet unknown actresses on Earth. Her resume speaks for itself with hits like Run Lola Run, The Bourne Identity, and Blow. Her character of Christina is extremely selfish and unstable, but it is not difficult to see why she can lure these men into the bedroom so effortlessly. Potente’s ever-changing hair color is a gorgeous blonde here, and I commend her determination in playing Christina as a mentally sick person instead of just a hateful adulterer. That takes talent. Christina is a woman who obviously has issues with regard her parental obligations and probably suffers from post-partum depression. Other refined and memorable supporting turns are submitted by Martin Csokas as the incredibly loyal friend Hora, Russell Dykstra as Mitru, and two elderly ladies Elathea McGrath and Esme Melville who transform such insignificant roles into pleasant ones.
Based on the biographical memoirs of Raimond Gaita, Romulus, My Father contains several moments that must be viewed and interpreted within Raimond’s perception of the universe, and that might be a detriment to the film. One scene in particular concerning chickens was disturbing and bizarre, but this was presumably a memory of Raimond's. Unlike the memoir cinematical adaptation, Running With Scissors, this exposes a dysfunctional family on the verge of crumbling in a blunt and almost ambitious way, as opposed to a comedy which was utterly horrible. After Romulus, My Father was finished, I was unsure of what to think. I knew I enjoyed it, but the fact that the problems for Raimond's folks persist caused me worry that this was on the verge of ending too depressing. The conclusion leaves an impression that says otherwise. The aim was to tell this painful story through the eyes of Raimond, and that was accomplished with touches of beauty.
The direction was handled by actor Richard Roxburgh, who has suddenly revealed his natural aptitude in shaping an excellent film. The cinematography from Geoffrey Simpson is stunning in its capture of the Australian countryside. Roxburgh thrives most with the thoughtfulness and grounded style of approach. The only complaint is his pacing, which needed a bit more zest in order to dazzle a wider audience. Romulus, My Father also could have benefited from a superior score. Basil Hogios does not have much experience yet, and sadly for this type of drama, his composition could have augmented the substance with tremendous results. This also marked the debut of screenwriter Nick Drake, who penned the material admirably, but it needed some polishing to form a better and more accessible connection with the viewer. These are legitimate flaws, but not substantial ones, and they seem to dissolve away gradually since the more I analyze Romulus in my head, the more I adore it.
So many times when I surf the internet and research a film on IMDB, I glance past the awards nominations and winnings that are not based in the United States. The amount of awards ceremonies all over the globe is vast, so mentioning all of them can be tricky. Romulus, My Father spent 2007 traveling through all the major film festivals, and was an instant sensation on that circuit. However, it also managed to pick up some awards, primarily in Australia where it received a record breaking 17 nominations for the Australian Film Institute (equivalent to our Oscars), and won four, including Best Film. I realize that the majority of the public does not care about these accolades, but the cast and crew do, and it should be noted that some organizations thought enough of the quality to afford some statues.
So how can these efforts in limbo be classified? What do we name them? Sometimes the studio gives them a chance in theaters, but when they can't deliver due to poor marketing, the only option left is to send them straight to video. They could be called "the quiet releases", or better yet, they are the ideal definition of what critics refer to as a "hidden gem" or "jewel." If the film is lucky, it will gain a positive reputation on DVD with age, like Idiocracy for instance. Unfortunately, hundreds cannot accomplish this feat because no one has the opportunity to look twice at them. Romulus, My Father is a respectable coming-of-age film that might not be attain universal acclaim, but it is worth your time.
The 411: If Tony Gilroy’s directorial debut for Michael Clayton garnered so much praise, I can’t understand why Richard Roxburgh did not steal some of that away. His adaptation of the memoir Romulus, My Father is an intense, poignant, and lingering coming-of-age drama that deserves the attention it has received over seas. Eric Bana, Franka Potente, and Kodi Smit-McPhee lead the cast with magnificent performances. This is not a perfect movie, but it is one of those under the radar releases that should have been given a better chance in the United States. It is currently playing in exactly three theaters, two in California and one in Texas. Check it out if you can, but make sure to look for it on DVD.
