REVIEW: 'Tomorrow, When the War Began'RSS

REVIEW: 'Tomorrow, When the War Began'

Caitlin Stasey as Ellie Linton

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3rd Sep 2010

By James Croot, Flicks.co.nz

Film adaptation of the popular novels by Australian writer John Marsden, about eight young friends who go camping in the bush, emerging days later to find their country has been invaded and nothing will be the same again. Now playing nationwide. Click here for session info
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Following in the fine Aussie tradition of Picnic at Hanging Rock, Flirting, The Heartbreak Kid, and ahem, BMX Bandits, Tomorrow is a fantastic little tale of growing up Ocker. Initially starting out as The Breakfast Club in the bush, complete with Aussie teen archetypes – the jock, the religious girl, the rebellious Greek, the townie and the Asian restaurant worker – writer-director Beattie’s film suddenly shifts gears partway through, turning into a cross between Lost, The Tripods, and Pauline Hanson’s worst nightmare.

The Aussie rock and pop potpourri soundtrack (everything from Powderfinger to Missy Higgins) may be a little bit incongruous to the action and the multi-ethnic cast impossibly pretty, but what sets Tomorrow apart is that the characters feel real, whether it’s a nervous phone call to a member of the opposite sex or making near fatal mistakes. While lead actress Caitlin Stasey (Neighbours) is the standout, what is particularly refreshing is Beattie’s desire to keep the focus firmly on the kids and their point-of-view – no cutaway scenes of evil generals plotting in their native tongue here.

The action builds to a fine cliffhanger (Tomorrow is the first of seven books) but only the box office will tell whether Beattie and co. have a Golden Goose like Harry Potter or a Golden Compass.