Kate Wood , Australia, 2025, 107 mins,
Cast: Lily Whiteley, Ryan Corr, Deborah Mailman, Rachel House
Review by Krisse Platt
After an unfortunate incident with a baby dolphin, disgraced TV weatherman Chris Masterman flees Sydney for a job in Broome. Stopping briefly in the tiny town of Silver Gum where he manages to alienate everyone he encounters in the space of about thirty seconds. Meanwhile, grief stricken 12 year old Charlie would rather spend her time with the kangaroos than with her peers. The two collide when Masterman orphans a baby roo, and Charlie shamelessly manipulates him into taking care of it. What follows is a typical city boy in the country tale of redemption and connection.
Ryan Corr is entirely believable as the mildly self-obsessed Masterman. Funny and charming by turns, he throws himself into the physical comedy with great relish, and of course finds his redemption. If anything, Masterman could do with being a little more obnoxious, for his redemption to feel truly satisfying. Lily Whitely brings an other-worldly energy to Charlie, who holds the world at arm’s length as she navigates her grief, but ultimately discovers that by letting people in, she is able to begin her recovery.
Deborah Mailman as Charlie’s mum Rosie brings the love, exasperation, and helplessness that will resonate with any parent dealing with a wilful pre-teen. Rachel House meanwhile is used brilliantly as flint-faced hotel owner Jesse. The cast rounds out the Silver Gum’s population of lovable characters, young and old, with the intellectual bar fly a particular treat.
Any film set in the outback needs to treat the audience to lavish views of this unforgiving, yet majestic landscape, and this film does that. Coupling it with shots of the unique, and occasionally downright odd fauna that call it home. And then there’s the joeys. These baby roos are all doe-eyed, gangly-limbed cuteness, and it’s impossible not to see them without going “Awwww…”.
This film is a feel-good cute fest, well executed, with a charming cast and stunning locations. It’s perfect for the animal obsessed child in your life, and an antidote to the shouty, fast-cut, vfx heavy kids fare on offer.
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