Set in early 1960s rural Australia, Romulus, My Father tells the story of a young boy and a tumultuous family life and their continuous economic hardships. In his directorial debut, the Australian Richard Roxburgh has adapted the film from the memoir by the philosopher Raimond Gaita. Played by the adorable Kodi Smit-McPhee, Raimond is a precocious and inquisitive boy who sees through his separated parents' attempts to hide their problems. With his mother living in the city, Raimond is raised primarily by his father (Eric Bana), a salt-of-the-earth man whose strained attempts at farming and livestock are just successful enough for him to send money to Christine, his estranged wife (Franka Potente). She moves in with the brother of Romulus's best friend, causing pain for Romulus, and confusion for Raimond about where his loyalties should lie. Christine suffers from depression and when her relationship becomes abusive and violent, attempts suicide. Perhaps most touching in this film is Raimond's affection for his baby sister, Susan. Seeing the gaps of love and caring that his mother does not provide for the infant, Raimond steps in. And when he hears that his mother has made an effort to get her life back together by working in a factory and putting Susan in a foster home, Raimond turns his back on her. A moving, honest film about relationships, loyalty and forgiveness, Romulus, My Father succeeds in its character development, offering emotional performances without overacting.
*The National
* Jessica Hume