Never Too Late

What's not to love about a movie with a cast list that includes Oscar nominees James Cromwell, Jacki Weaver; Acting royalty of Jack Thompson, and iconic performers like Dennis Waterman and Roy Billing? Plenty to love, but not much to like. The dialogue; whilst salty and humorous at times, is laughing at old people and the infirm and those with dementia. It depicts nursing homes as prisons and the security as just thugs; whilst the nurses and doctors seem absent or incompetent.

If you leave your brain in another room, this is an enjoyable romp, but make no mistake - it is not art, nor is it a well executed buddy movie, romance or any of the other tropes it seems to be wanting to be. But how many more films will we get to see the great Jack Thompson; the very dignified James Cromwell and the eternally cute Jacki Weaver? Actually i think this is one of Weaver's better performances of late. This and 'Poms' where she gets to either play big and blowsy or quite sweet and poignant as she does here. But the dialogue lets down the group of esteemed actors who barely keep a straight face delivering it! Call me sentimental, but when veteran actors such as these pop up and get a chance to strut their stuff, it is worth checking out. But high art, it ain't. But you will get a few chuckles and maybe reflect on ageing and the elderly.

I loved it. I took my 29 year old daughter. We laughed and we cried. One of the best Australian movies that I have seen. Would have liked my husband to see it too. The highlight for me was Max Cullen. Superb performance.

Care home Jack Bronson mobilises his friends and former colleagues to escape the confines of the home, and complete a daring mission, a mission that he keeps close to his chest.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, very funny, quite moving, very, very nicely acted, some top notch performances throughout. Plenty of laughs, even daring to make the taboo subject of dementia quite amusing, it actually worked.

All I can say, is that I hope not all Australian care homes are like this one, nasty looking bouncers, staff medicating trouble makers, and barbed wire above the doors.

James Cromwell delivers a knockout performance, what a presence, Dennis Waterman also shows his true class.

Well worth seeing.

8/10.

Mostly funny with some depression parts. Makes you never want to get old in Australia.

Finally the best Aussie Comedy for 2020 has arrived! You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll sigh! How good is this cast for starters? Academy Award nominees James Cromwell and Jacki Weaver head a strong cast in this hilarious and feisty film about four grumpy old Vietnam Vets who unite to re-enact the Great Escape. Toss into the mix Dennis Waterman...the man who wrote the theme tune & sung the theme tune. (except not on this occasion, but it is a banger soundtrack). Jack Thompson and Roy Billing also star in this 95 minute feature film, plus Max Cullen as the scene stealing Hank (even when he's dead) along with Shane (Full Monty) Jacobson. Together the old diggers are "The Chain Breakers" an elite squad in their day who escaped a torturous POW Camp only to end their lives in a new prison, "The Hogan Hills Retirement Home for Returned Veterans". A nice nod to one of the few Aussies missing from this ensemble, Paul Hogan. I loved the way this movie sensitively handles Dementia, PTSD, and many other mental & physical illnesses, yet lets you roar with laughter or wipe the salt from your eyes in the next moment. This is their last mission and you will cheer them on every inch of their journey. NEVER TOO LATE is a delightful Aussie comedy about love, family, friendship and determination. If you love the smell of mothballs in the morning this could be your next date night.