The Combination

When Australia makes any dramas set in the burbs they generally always have the feel of being written by someone with not only a separation from suburban life but utter contempt for it as well. The characters are flagrant stereotypes, the dialogue has the feel it was written by a 5 year old trying to sound tough and the stories always generally deal with the idea that growing up in the burbs gives you 2 opportunities. Mundane blue collar jobs or pursuing criminal enterprise.

While the combination does include the final element in it's story, it does not offer it as the only choice for the burbs either. And it skillfully shows that each person has a choice and must take responsibility for their actions.

Well written, starring an amazing cast and finally giving a sense of realism to suburban life in Australia, The Combination is a great film.

Being a Sydney 'westie' I can't get over the aspect of dialogue in this film. Finding an Australian film that does not come across as a parody in the way characters interact with each other is nearly impossible. Even within a great film like Two Hands if you watch the movie again note the absence of free flowing dialogue that feels real. This film has it down pat. The characters seem undeniably real. George Basha has done a great job. Let's hope he is not a one trick pony and can use his skills for further great Australian films in the future.

The name says it all. A lesson in life & also the ups & downs of being in a hate group. I mean this movie is a good example of showing that nothing good comes from being racist & thinking your better than everyone else. I personally thought that the acting was excellent & its a true blue Aussie made movie. Racism & hatred will never stop because lets face it cause we're not living in a cartoon. Some people might say that this movie influences Lebanese gangs & makes them proud, but i believe that there's always the other side to a story & this being that treat everyone equally. My rating for this is 8.5 / 10. Should win some awards.

As someone who grew up in the suburbs of Sydney, this film rang true to me. I witnessed my share of bullying back in the day and gang warfare in schools. The depiction of these young men was reasonably accurate, albeit a bit over-done and overacted buy some novice actors.

For its time I think this film was pretty novel. The harsh realities play out when youths make terrible choices in fits of rage, fueled by greed and lack of education. The tragedy of the film is palpable till the end, even despite the script waning at times. I feel local and international viewers will enjoy this classic. 7/10.

I watched the sequel the combination redemption before is as this gem of a film. After speaking to few friends they had told me it's as their fav Australian film of all time . So I had to watch it and I tell you it hard to disagree with them . It takes you right into western Sydney streets and the characters that are portrayed are done so with great success . The story in itself is relatable to anyone that has been in love with a partner from a different cultural background . The film without spoiling it shows us that family , love , honour and choices are very important in life and how our life is shaped . Great Australian film up there with any other film made in Australia .

I wanted to watch something boring. I chose to watch The Combination. The beginning didn't promise me much, I even had to check if this was an Australian film, and actually it was!

I am neither Australian nor Lebanese, but I have met both cultures for at least a brief moment in my lifetime. So the question when watching a story of Lebanese in Australia was: are the facts just? Is this real? It is. Although people are depicted differently from those I have seen in the real world, parts of them that are true and up to a point are also shown.

Is the material educative? Yes. You can remember your history lessons, fighting skills, and how to be romantic.

Will you be bored? I was not.