Hearts and Bones

Superb filming of an emotional and complex story. Hugo Weaving is as fantastic as ever but the debut performance by Andrew Yuri is incredible. Hard to believe he was a garbage collector (an honourable enough occupation) at the point of auditioning for this film and you wouldn't believe he'd never acted before in his life.

A really good film with great cast, script and direction. Glad I saw it

My Review - Hearts and Bones - My Rating 7/10

Hearts and Bones is a brand new Australian movie that was due for release in Cinemas last Thursday. I don't really like reviewing movies that are meant to be seen in the Cinema but with Cinemas shut due to COVID 19 there's no choice if you want to see this film. Its been made available for rental on Foxtel for the same charge as it would be if you saw it at a Cinema. It's worth seeing for four reasons Hugo Weaving gives his usual wonderful performance cast as Dan Fisher a photographer obviously suffering deep trauma due to the horrors of his experiences in War Zones . Daniel Fisher is preparing an exhibition of his work from the world's war zones. When Sebastian Ahmed also an excellent performance played by Sudanese Australian Actor Andrew Luri (an amazing film debut) learns that this exhibition may display photographs of a massacre in his village, he finds Daniel and appeals to him to exclude those photographs. The whole premise of the film is why Sebastian wants the photos excluded from Dan's exhibition? No spoilers from me . The two women who play Dan's pregnant partner and Sebastian wife in the film are also impressive especially Bolude Watson as Arnishka Ahmed she deserves her win as 2019 Casting Guild of Australia Rising Star Award and her nomination as AACTA Best Supporting Actress. Hayley McElhinney as Dan's supportive partner who tries desperately to understand his trauma and manage a dangerous pregnancy is very impressive also You've probably gathered I liked the performances more than the script and film itself. It's a very moving film and received standing ovations at film festivals like Toronto. I can't say what bothered or disturbed me concerning the outcome of the story because it would spoil the film for others and it's an Australian film that deserves to be seen. We need to support our Film industry especially at this time and Hearts and Bones deserves to be seen.

This film is a little gem especially if you are someone that has traveled overseas and seen the madness and sadness of war and want to see a unique different perspective on how to view the human story. The directing and writing is done in a manner that makes you really get deep into the characters and it had surprises that were eloquently done. It is not a commercial piece or a fast moving hollywood story but as an indy lover it was a breath of fresh air. The acting by all characters were superbly done and Hugo Weaving and Andrew Luri are exceptional. I can only imagine what it is like for a war massacre survivor to experience life after such a tragic event but to then have to confront it through a war photographers eyes makes us realize how personal these events are to those that suffer on both ends of the spectrum. A real gem of a film. A solid 8 and hope it wins some more Awards.

From the explanatory notes on Sky, I was expecting something along the lines of 'The Killing Fields'. But this film is quite outstanding and thought-provoking, taking its own very unique direction with its subject. It doesn't focus on the horrors of war, but rather the impact on its victims and its witnesses. It unpicks the moral questions that surround war photography, how it can filter reality, and whose right is it to judge the actions of others who are dealing with their own individual tragedies. All four leads - the female partners of the photographer and the refugee are just as crucial to the story - are excellent and portrayed with delicate balance. The film suddenly develops two climaxes, neatly juxtaposing catharses at different levels by all four characters. Bolude Watson's performance is particularly spellbinding, not least because you begin by not expecting much contribution from her character but she becomes a crucial catalyst in the development of all the other characters and the plot. Powerful stuff. Highly recommended.

Hearts and Bones is not an easy film to watch. Full of harsh truths and the messiness that is life, it upends our notions of right and wrong and causes one to reflect upon perspective and time and circumstance. Do not miss the photo sequence at the end.