Disapointed (Spoiler)

I respect your opinion, but would conclude that I disagree with you on most counts. I did not believe the speech was long, I found the movie moved along at a reasonable pace and for the most part, the music was suitable for the period of the movie. Even the props dept. found the right vehicles for the period with old Holdens & Valiants with dual metric/imperial speedometers (metric was introduced into Australia in early 70's), the clothing, beer brands etc.

Importantly, for me anyway, I cannot stand false or contrived Australian films that reverberate with jingoistic/Nationalistic nonsense. Happily for me, I felt that this was reasonably toned down (even the miner's language) without the cringeworthy Ockerish behaviour of many past Australian films and that this humouress film will surely find a warm and fuzzy place with many people, not just Australians. My only gripe was that some of the charcter's dialogue was mumbled and lacked clarity and should have been rectified during post-production. Perhaps there may be an international release that will deal with this issue.

Cheers and beers

et tu, Bruté?

Locked my wire coat-hanger in the car - good thing that I always carry spare keys in my pocket :)

Who cares

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"If I don't understand it, it's a plot-hole!"
-Typical Reviewer

Hmm, I dunno. I didn't take much notice of the singing after the speech. I was too preoccupied watching the sick dog struggle to get up, watch them for a moment, then slowly slink out the door unnoticed.

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PRESTO!
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A valid point of view, dangerlaef, although different from mine. I percieved the song not so much as an expression of nationalism, but rather an expression of a community brought together. Particularly after the speech about Red Dog, the crowd coming togther in song seemed like an expression of the togtherness and joy that Red Dog fostered among these people. A celebration of his life and what he gave them, rather than an ode to Australia as a nation, or mining culture. I think the speech dismisses the importance of the mining company and nationalism, and validates the smaller community and their personal experiences.

If the world is night, shine my life like a light - Indigo Girls

The film was second rate, the story also... it was not about a dog, but about his involvement with the town.... I am sorry it was so disappointing. I hired it, and wouldn't recommend it to others... there are better Aussie movies around, but this one only rates 4 out of 10 for me.

As someone who grew up in Karratha, knowing many of the miners and the type of people who live there, it's not really as out of place as you think, in those days anyway. It used to be quite the community, you couldn't so much as walk to the shops without knowing pretty much everybody you came across, not so much now with all the FIFO workers and the like.

I did think the singing was a little out there, but not so out of place as to ruin the movie.