Very well executed

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

A not even remotely good movie. The actors looked uncomfortable like they didn't want to be there and the American accents kept changing into Australian ones a lot (like they also did not want to be there). I usually enjoy Geena Davis' movies, but in this one her character was not endearing or even funny when she was supposed to be. I did not find the comments at the wake about Doug's deceased father funny- were they supposed to be? Without comedy and any characters to care about there is no dark humor.Were we supposed to feel sorry for Billy when he was trying to get out of admitting what he did with the bowling ball (even when his friend was begging him to admit it)? Where we supposed to egg him on when he was more interested in looking for a bowling ball that incriminated him than worrying that his friend's father was dead? Were we supposed to cheer when he got out of it and his friend's family had to live without the life insurance and their father was labeled as someone who killed himself? Were we supposed to celebrate when he was smoking dope with a girl and laugh when he robbed a store naked? Were we supposed to feel sorry for him when his brother in the nursing home didn't pay attention to self-centered Billy? Was this written by someone high on dope? Because it seems to be the only excuse for this accident. This movie should have been called "Stay away from Billy the uncaring narcissist or your death will be labeled an accident or suicide".

Having never heard of this movie and deciding to tape it and watch later because Geena Davis was in the cast, I was quite happy with the pick.Here's why this is a good movie - I actually rewound this movie several times so that I could write down a quote from it: "I could have prevented it, but more to the point you couldn't have. Nor could you have saved him. Some things are just meant to be, sad as they are. We all pay for our mistakes Billy. You paid for yours long before you made them. Now you gotta stop paying. See what the world has to offer. What am I gonna do with it? " When you write down a quote from a movie so you can reread it, you have a winner.If it's not for you, some things are meant to be, sad as they are. What are you gonna do with this movie?

Just saw this "dysfunctional family because of tragedy" movie on cable. Thought I'd give it a try even though it just had a 2.5 star rating and was labeled a comedy (?!). Turned out someone made a boo-boo on both. I was blown away by the story, the directing, the acting, the cinematography... All I can think of is the fact that the movie is "Australian" might have held it back. There was nothing else that could have done so. Definitely worthy of an Oscar nomination for picture, acting and directing. One expects Geena Davis to give a fine performance, but all the young actors surrounding her made her job so much easier. I was crying along with them. The only thing I didn't like was the ending. Leaves you hanging. But, that's life.

'Monumental' was the word that flashed through my mind during the emotional climax. The film itself or the emotional place it had taken me to, I don't know, but that was the word. Mostly I laughed my way through the film but when I stopped laughing I cried great buckets. I also had to keep relaxing the tension in my face and body as I found it a very stressful journey. Right from the beginning we learn that there will be no easy outs, anything and everything can happen. Like all good films this one let me leave my inner critic at the door and completely surrender to the unfolding twisting tale of searing black comedy and bitter soulful tragedy.Geena Davis has always been brilliant but has she ever had such a brilliantly written role? Has any female actor? What starts as a dragon that breathes caustic wit unravels to reveal a woman that despite all odds continues to be the foundation, mortar and soulful centre for everyone. I found her character so utterly real and so refreshing for a female lead. She had balls, vulnerability, sex appeal, intelligence and of course great wit.It must be hard for any nationality to see themselves played by others. One character is one thing but a whole neighbourhood and era could seem presumptuous. I couldn't comment on US reaction, accents or historical correctness, however, I did find it interesting to apply Australian storytelling to a universal tale and then set it in North America. What you get is an almost unbearably tragic but ultimately stoic tale told through an unrelenting, disposable wit and a brevity of emotion which never once falls into sentimentality or over indulgence.It is sumptuous to watch in its cinematography and art direction and the young cast is deftly directed to deal with some of life's cruelest blows. What matters most is the story and there is so much meat to chew on in terms of character, plot and themes. It moves so swiftly from one cataclysmic event to the next proving not only that in life the only constant is change but also that it is bloody hard to keep up with that change; that life is uncontrollable and we are at its mercy to make sense of its absurdity. This film has a great future for a hip audience. From a viewer's entertainment perspective this film is monumental.