daniel-kyle

This could be the worst film that I have ever seen, compelled by its badness to watch through to the end.

EVERYTHING is bad. If Kevin Costner - who frankly is always a hit or miss actor - hadn't become more known in a few subsequent hit films, this no doubt would never have been mentioned again after its initial release and quick demise.

The 1-Star I gave is only because there are so few films about bicycle racing, but far better (and better known) is Breaking Away. More recently, there was The Flying Scotsman. Both are much more realistic, and involving, as well as having good acting and entire production values.

Why this film could not concentrate on the potential to show the behind the scenes of a couple of thrilling American road cycle races is a shame, and a waste. If I were to be charitable, perhaps Ghoulies II was a worse film.

First, Eric Bana is always good, even in questionable material (like his most recent Berlin Nobody, aka A Sacrifice).

But this 2-hr release, from the source book by Jane Harper, is very weak and runs like a soap opera - so much so that it seems to incorporate 'commercial breaks'.

The entire story is either implausible, or so true to life in rural Australia that it is pathetic.

That said, I rate it medium owing to the fact that all the actors perform well, and any film that shows Australian scenery is welcome viewing. The production values, notably the cinematography and soundtrack are very good.

I had to keep watching to the end because it was just unusual enough - though predictable - to be compelling. Like a bad soap opera.