Romulus, My Father (2007)

This is one of these movies that only come once in a great great while and leave your soul with the burden of a lifetime experience. It will charge you up and it will brake you to pieces...No words to describe... Can't find a way to define...Why so strongly do we want to live when the meaning of life is so overpoweringly indefinite, vague, woolly, unclear, unspecific and unfixed!?... BECAUSE IT'S OVERPOWERING!!!I beg you please, do yourself the favor of seeing this Leviathanic Achievement in the Art of Cinematography!!! Your heart will melt completely when at the end the film reveals you that this is the biographical memoir of the philosopher and writer Raimond Gaita! Please, believe me now, when I say that I am completely overwhelmed by the emotions the movie left me with and this is the reason to be writing this review/message. I am an independent individual not involved with or paid by any movie production or company related to the the film .Thank you

I should not really have come here to talk about it, as I did not give it my full attention which very unlike me. I don't agree with J Cocteau that movie have to get rid of big budget etc. to be art, but who am I beside being entitled to my opinion! Art it is and Romulus My Father strives in this achievement. Why I did not give it my whole attention, I don't know exactly. Was it Eric Bana background in Aussie TV, was it "another Australian movie? No because I actually taped it and was looking forward to see it. Was it the slow pace of the start, perhaps. I think really I was not in the right mood for it and agree that is a difficult story almost joyless. I was surprised to see no comment incorporating some comparison with "Last Ride" (Hugo Weaving)even though I founds some comments from authors who had enter comment under both films. I saw "Last Ride" at the cinema and Romulus... at home but on a fairly large screen. I will have another go at it... perhaps with some fine wine to get the journey smoother!

The American dominated 'Rotten Tomatoes' website gives the bore and gore abomination of 'Wolf Creek' the thumbs up but doesn't like 'Romulus, my father'. Raimond Gaita's personal story is extraordinary. His broadcast reading of his book is moving, as is this film. If you see this on DVD, don't miss the interview with Gaita on the extras disc.For people who still possess hearts and emotions, 'Romulus, my father' is unmissable. Gaita, the author, is no exhibitionist. The film takes liberties with his hastily written memoir, but most of the essentials are preserved.The child acting is outstanding. The direction is unobtrusive. The transition from young son of battling Australian immigrants to professor of philosophy is mentioned only in the closing titles. If American critics and audiences turn away from this, but award Oscars to turkeys like 'American Beauty' and 'As Good as it Gets', there's not much hope for humanity.If you like car chases, explosions, tough guy grimaces and special effects, stay away. If you still have human feelings and haven't been brainwashed by what passes for popular culture, take a deep breath and witness this exceptional film.

Congratulations Eric - Best Actor, Kodi - Best Young Actor (Great acceptance speech.) It is very unlikely you will fade into obscurity in the future, Richard - Best Director, 'Romulus My Father' Best picture Australian Film Institute Awards Dec. 2007. Obviously one of the top Aussie films and treats the immigrant experience with warmth and understanding. Kodi Smit is set to become one of the best Aussie actors as Eric Bana already is. What else is there to say I totally agree with the previous comment: If you are serious about movies, seriously see this movie. Not one bad acting performance in the entire cast. Richard you should reconsider your statement that you will now only act from now on.