Rams

My wife and I watched this at home on DVD from our public library. It appears to be an almost exact remake of a 2015 Icelandic movie of the same name, but this one is set in Western Australia.

Two brothers in their 70s live adjacent to each other. Their homes are about a pitching wedge distance apart. But they never speak to each other, it has been that way for over 40 years. They never really explain why but it is hinted the older brother is angry that the deceased dad gave all the property to the younger brother who allows the older to remain living and working there.

The brothers raise prized rams that carry an ancient lineage and in yearly contests the ram of one or the other always wins first place. Tragedy strikes when it is discovered that a disease is infecting the sheep and all animals are ordered destroyed. But one brother has an idea to bypass the system when he believes his rams are not infected.

We enjoyed the movie mainly for the actors. If this had been "based on real events" it might have been more interesting. But overall, while it is entertaining most of the time, there is not particular substantial message here. It is a low risk movie to watch on a Saturday evening after dinner.

I might wonder why I would choose to rent this movie. Well, partly because I had Amazon credits to use, but mostly because the available selection was rather pathetic. Plain bad movies. Or movies for which they wanted $20 to rent since you couldn't go see them in a theater.

Not only was Rams a wonderful movie in every respect, it was touching, entertaining, and without the boilerplate plot that we are forced to become accustomed to.

Always a risk, reformulating an already impressive film, in this case from Icelandic into an English. Just about gets away with it, with Sam Neil herding it skilfully into the pen - the message and the meaning as sentimental as any but always worth the effort reflecting upon, to keep those green shoots fresh and the future firmly built on the lessons of the past.

I've seen both versions and in my opinion this Australian remake of the Icelandic original is superior. Though 20 minutes longer, it successfully wall - papers over the main points of criticism of the original. There's more humour, an explanation offered for the brothers' enmity (a valid criticism of the original) and a far more satisfactory ending, with much less ambiguity.

The Great Southern Region of Western Australia proves an excellent substitute for the admittedly stunning Icelandic rural locations and Sam Neill contributes a superlative, warmly amusing turn, as the pastoralist brother who just can't quite let go. It really is the stand-out performance of both films. Ewe shouldn't miss it.

Seen the movie with the whole family 7 - 75, we all loved it, something in there for everyone with that uniquely Australian touch.