Sweet Country (2017)

Sweet Country: Directed by Warwick Thornton. With Hamilton Morris, Shanika Cole, Ewen Leslie, Sam Neill. Australian western set on the Northern Territory frontier in the 1920s, where justice itself is put on trial when an aged Aboriginal farmhand shoots a white man in self-defense and goes on the run as a posse gathers to hunt him down.

“The movie has a familiar story and simple dialogue, and this is not a problem by any means, yet itu0026#39;s technically impressive. Sweet Country is a visually stunning film. The cinematography in this movie is similar to Mudboundu0026#39;s, but itu0026#39;s even more beautiful! Actually, it has the best cinematography of the year, so far! And while the movie looks poetic, the same goes for the storytelling. It reminded me of Days of Heaven. As a matter of fact, you may feel if youu0026#39;re watching a Terrence Malick film, except itu0026#39;s more fast-paced. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe similarity between Sweet Country and Malicku0026#39;s movies donu0026#39;t stop there. As Warwick Thornton used symbolism in Sweet Country in a way that resembles Malicku0026#39;s use of symbolism. By that I mean the use of allegories and symbols in a beautiful way that feels literary or poetic. Unfortunately, the use of symbols in Sweet Country often feels superfluous, and completely unnecessary. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSweet Country is masterly edited, and I think that what makes it very watchable, and often enjoyable despite its poetic style that may indispose some people.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThornton used intercut flash-forwards and flashbacks heavily. And while sometimes they help us understanding some events that happened, or will happen, therefore build tension, they often seem like nothing but artistic frippery, specially when they are used to make the movie seem if it has a non-linear storytelling. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSweet Country also should be praised for its non-sentimental approach to its message. Unlike other movies that tackle the same subject matter, Sweet Country doesnu0026#39;t dramatize any aspect of its story. The movie even doesnu0026#39;t have a soundtrack, and that makes it feel more realistic. The movie relies on its bleak and dreary atmosphere to imply its subject matter and moral instead of presenting them in the usual manner. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAll the performances are good. Hamilton Morrisu0026#39; performance is impressive because it feels genuine. Sam Neill is also very good even if his character, Fred Smith, is underdeveloped. Fred Smith is a very important character and should have been more developed, but unfortunately, itu0026#39;s a very flat character.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIn general, the movie has some issues in terms of its characters. The movie has too many characters for its own good. And the movie tries to give almost every character its fair share of importance. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIn the end, Sweet Country a movie of visuals first and foremost, it could hardly be more visually impressive. But, to be honest, itu0026#39;s a very pretentious work. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e(7/10)”