WALL·E (2008); animated family film

PIXAR'S STARS: WALL·E (voiced by Ben Burtt) and EVE (Elissa Knight) in the film WALL·E.
Image: Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar.

A Robotic Romantic by Linh

WALL•E is the latest animated film from Pixar, bringing together the creative team of animators and producers who were responsible for the animated hit films Finding Nemo and The Incredibles.

Set seven hundred years into the future, WALL•E is simply a love story about a lonely robotic garbologist named WALL•E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter – Earth Class) who has been left on Earth to clean up the rubbish left behind by humans. Everyone has relocated to a giant luxury spaceship called Axiom because Earth can no longer sustain life. When WALL•E meets EVE (who is on a mission to find evidence of life on Earth) he is immediately smitten and attempts to win her love. As EVE is taken to the spaceship Axiom, WALL•E believes she is being kidnapped so he attempts to save her.

Andrew Stanton wrote and directed WALL•E based on the concept, "What if mankind had to leave earth, and somebody forgot to turn off the last robot?"
The team behind WALL•E cleverly projects the art of story telling by combining sophisticated visual techniques with audio effects.

The first half of the film contains minimal dialogue and only consists of mechanical noises from WALL•E and his cockroach friend Hal. When WALL•E finds himself onboard the Axiom, we hear human voices from animated humans who look like giant babies sitting all day in hover chairs connected to hologram screens.

Ben Burtt's audio and sound effects wizardry provides the ‘voice’ of WALL•E and another robot named M•O, amongst others. Burtt effectively uses his original mechanical sound recordings to give WALL•E the anthropomorhic touch of human feelings with each vocal inflection and an endearing quality.

The technology used to create WALL•E, and all the other robots is phenomenal. WALL•E has a curious nature and likes collecting unusual and interesting objects amongst the garbage. He has a VHS copy of the musical Hello Dolly, which taught him to sing, dance and hold hands (his way of expressing love). He is solar powered and has twin hydraulic arm shovels. WALL•E's front opens up to gather and then compress rubbish. He also possesses an inbuilt recorder which he uses to record songs from the musical Hello Dolly. WALL•E's eyes are cameras and between them he has a laser. Some of these technical components are used in other ways throughout the film to project human characteristics.

EVE (Extra-terrestrial Vegetation Evaluator) is voiced by Elissa Knight, and is an advanced probe droid sent to Earth on a scanning mission. EVE is equipped with a laser gun and capable of flight and high speeds. She is determined to complete her task and initially fails to notice her robot Romeo, WALL•E. EVE and WALL•E eventually bond and the more she sees how much WALL•E cares for her, the more she falls for him, ultimately making it her top priority to protect him.

The most adorable and funny little robot is M-O (Microbe-Obliterator). M-O is also a cleaning robot who resides aboard the Axiom. He's programmed to clean items deemed contaminated, and travels around on a single roller equipped with cleaning equipment. M-O befriends WALL•E after he attempts to clean dirt off WALL•E's body.

The only 'real' human who appears in the film is Fred Willlard's character Shelby Forthright, the CEO of Buy N Large, the corporate giant which built WALL•E and the Axiom. Willard gives an impressive and highly animated performance, almost as if he should be a cartoon human like the rest of the people onboard Axiom.

Alien star Sigourney Weaver provides the Computer's voice onboard the Axiom, and is gaining a reputation as the sci-fi siren with her acting credits including Ghost Busters 1 and 2, the Alien movies and the upcoming James Cameron sci-fi thriller Avatar.

Although the stars of the film are the plethora of robots with various functions, the presence of humans gives a gentle reminder of how fragile humanity can be and the importance of caring for the environment. Other underlying issues include consumerism and corporate commercialism.

WALL•E is pure enjoyment for all ages and comes with some food for thought. Few animated films have engaged the imagination and moved the senses as WALL•E, making it exceptional•e extraordinar•e.

THE FINAL FUN-TIER: WALL·E travels into space in the film WALL·E.
Image: Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar.

Mamma Mia! The Movie; musical comedy film review

TRIPLE THREAT: Rosie (Julie Walters), Donna (Meryl Streep) and Tanya (Christine Baranski) reminisce about the days of young love on the eve of Sophie's wedding in a scene from Mamma Mia!. Image: Universal Pictures.


Dancing Disco Divas by Linh

Based on the stage musical, Mamma Mia! is brought to the silver screen with a stellar cast including Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth. Producer of the stage version, Judy Craymer and director Phyllida Lloyd have remained loyal to Catherine Johnson's script, transposing the hit musical from stage to screen.

With the blessings of ABBA band members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, who were also the executive producers alongside Hollywood super couple Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, more than twenty ABBA songs are performed and woven into the narrative.


In the simplistic plot, Sophie Sheridan is about to get married and lives on a beautiful Greek island with her mother, Donna, who runs a crumbling hotel. Sophie has never known her father and dreams of finding him to walk her down the aisle. She finds her mother's diary and invites three candidates who might be father to attend the wedding, without telling her mother.


Double Oscar winner Meryl Streep is definitely the stand out performer amongst a talented ensemble cast. Having sung in numerous stage and screen productions, the role of Donna seems to be a vocal fit for the likeable Streep. Even doing the slits mid-air while singing and bouncing about on a bed comes naturally to her. Streep has a powerful vocal delivery and is sensational in her dance sequences. Her highlight is the emotionally gut-wrenching The Winner Takes It All, but other solos of note include Money, Money, Money and Mamma Mia.

Amanda Seyfried, of Mean Girls fame, stars as the wide-eyed and sweet-voiced Sophie, who is engaging and shines with humour in her lead vocals for Honey, Honey, moving and melodic in I Have A Dream and in romantic mode for her duet with Dominic Cooper, Lay All Your Love On Me.

British actress Julie Walters is Rosie, the comical and supportive writer friend of Donna's, who is also a member of the girl power band Donna and the Dynamos. Walters delivers here harmony parts in Chiquitita, Dancing Queen and Super Trouper with aplomb. Her duet with Stellan Skarsgård, Take A Chance on Me is an absolute hoot.

Christine Baranski is the bold and brassy socialite, Tanya, who is also a member of Donna and the Dynamos, with a huge sexual appetite for younger men. She is hilarious in her duet with young suitor, Philip Michael,with Does Your Mother Know?, and provides brilliant harmonies in Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (A Man After Midnight)and I Do, I Do, I Do.

Although the male cast for Mamma Mia! looks stylish, their vocal prowess lacks the intensity and energy compared to the ladies.

Pierce Brosnan plays the architect, Sam Carmichael, whose heart still burns for Donna after twenty years apart. Brosnan adds the same suave and smoothness to Sam as he does for James Bond, but his singing is a little rough around the edges. Despite this, Brosnan is capable of carrying a tune (you could even hear his Irish accent while he sings) and he gives his all in S.O.S and Our Last Summer.

Everyone's favourite Mr Darcy, Colin Firth, is amazing as the former rebel rocker turned corporate banker, Harry 'Headbanger' Bright. Firth is the strongest vocally and musically of the male leads, even playing his guitar during Our Last Summer. He lends his talented vocals in harmony for Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (A Man After Midnight) and Voulez-Vous.


Other notable performances come courtesy of Stellan Skarsgård as Bill Anderson, Sophie's third possible father and travel writer whose care-free spirit and larrikin humour provide comic relief; Dominic Copper as Sophie's fiancee, Sky, has barely enough screen time, yet he is competent as singer and dancer; and the actors who play the hotel staff and also double as chorus singers and backing dancers throughout
were excellent.

Eagle-eyed audiences would be able to spot ABBA members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus in cameo roles during the middle and the end of the film. Stay around for a special encore performance from the entire cast, that's ABBA-solutely fABBA-ulous.
It's a nostalgic dance down the 1970s dicso memory lane, with sequins, skin tight spandex and silver-soled platform boots.
Whether or not you've seen the stage musical, it won't affect your enjoyment of the sparkling and exhilarating spectacle of Mamma Mia! The Movie.

Kung Fu Panda ; animated family film review (Advance Screening)

ANIMATED AWESOMENESS: Monkey (Jackie Chan), Viper (Lucy Liu), Po (Jack Black), ShiFu (Dustin Hoffman) and Tai Lung (Ian McShane) in Kung Fu Panda.
Image: Paramount Pictures/Dreamworks.

Panda With Po-tential by Linh

Kung Fu Panda is Dreamworks latest venture into CGI animated family entertainment and its star-studded cast of vocal talent is a definite drawcard.

Besides the CGI, the film is impressive in its use of comic timing and character idiosyncrasies to highlight humour and fun throughout.

The film's story is set in ancient China in the Valley of Peace, where a chubby and clumsy Panda named Po works in his father's noodle shop. Po dreams of becoming a Kung Fu Master who fights alongside his idols, The Furious Five (Tigress, Viper, Monkey, Crane and Mantis). In order to fulfill an ancient Chinese prophecy, Master Oogway calls for a competition to determine the next Dragon Warrior to defend the city against the ruthless Tai Lung. Po unexpectedly is chosen and he must work harder than he's ever worked before to learn the art of Kung Fu, and protect the city from an oncoming threat.

The affable and huggable Jack Black voices the cuddly and good natured Po (Panda) and is an instant favourite with the audience as he starts from scratch to become the next Kung Fu hero. Po's childlike mannerisms and determination to conquer his quest to fulfill the prophecy endears him to all.

Dustin Hoffman gives a stern but solid vocal delivery as Master ShiFu (Red Panda), the one who must train Po to become the Dragon Warrior. ShiFu is at first reluctant to waste his time on a fat, lazy Panda, but realises he must put his prejudices aside to fulfill the ancient prophecy and save the city.

Master Oogway (Tortoise)is voiced by Randall Duk Kim, and is the wisest and most elite of Kung Fu masters. He is the Yoda of the film spurting words of wisdom and encouragement when Po loses hope and confidence in himself.

The Furious Five comprising of Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Viper (Lucy Liu), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen) and Crane (David Cross), provide some of the comic relief and drama as Po struggles to learn the skills necessary to fight Tai Lung.
Together the quintet are a powerful force to be reckoned with, and individually they are equally formidable.

Ian McShane lends his voice to the vengeful former student of Master ShiFu, Tai Lung (Snow Leopard) who has escaped from his imprisonment to earn what he believes is his destiny to be the next Dragon Warrior. His fight scenes with Po are both hilarious and compelling as the animated Kung Fu action sequences delight and beguile.

Kung Fu Panda is wonderfully entertaining for the entire family, with its brightly coloured and stylised drawings and brilliant animation. There's a message for everyone in the film - believing in yourself to achieve your dreams is one for younger audiences, while the more mature can heed the message of turning your weaknesses into your strengths to overcome life's obstacles.


Kung Fu Panda screens in cinemas from June 26.

Speed Racer; family film review

TEAM EFFORT: Trixie (Christina Ricci), Mom (Susan Sarandon), Pops (John Goodman) and Sparky (Kick Gurry) help rebuild the Mach 5 to get Speed (Emile Hirsch) into the Grand Prix in Speed Racer. Image: Warner Brothers Pictures.


Maximum Visual Velocity by Linh

Directors and writers Larry and Andy Wachowski of The Matrix Trilogy fame, have given Japanimation an innovative visual twist in their latest film Speed Racer.
Speed Racer is the film adaptation of the 1960s cartoon television series, and is a combination of eye-popping visual effects infused with every colour of the spectrum. The CGI of all the racing sequences are supported with a dramatic heartbeat of family values and the fight against corporate corruption.

The film tells of a young race car driver named Speed Racer whose older brother, Rex Racer, was allegedly killed in a cross country race as a result of race fixing. Speed and his family resist the temptation to drive for dodgy businessman and owner of Royalton Industries, EP Arnold Royalton, who consequently threatens Speed with impending poverty and oblivion if he refuses to join the corporate giant. Remaining loyal to his family racing business, Speed teams up with the mysterious Racer X to win the Grand Prix and expose the corrupt cheats in the racing industry.

The ensemble cast is impressive, yet their talents are mostly wasted as acting prowess takes a back seat to the whizz-bang, optically vibrant imagery on screen. However, all the leading players make a lasting impression and add a special quality to their characters.

Emile Hirsch stars as the baby-faced man-boy, Speed Racer, whose real talents lie behind the wheel of a race car. Hirsch keeps the adrenaline pumping in all his race car scenes amidst the brightly coloured landscapes and video-game style race sequences. All the car-fu (automobile martial arts) in mid air and off the cliff edge were awe-inspiring and would have any racing fan on the edge of their seat.

Christina Ricci plays Speed’s childhood sweetheart, Trixie, and is his eye-in-the-sky as she keeps watch in her helicopter during his races. More than just a pretty face, Trixie can jostle the throttle and burn the rubber in a race car with the best drivers – much to Speed’s delight. Christina Ricci may not have much to say as Trixie, other than “Cool beans” or “Hubba bubba”, yet she can certainly pack a punch with her fists and kicks butt with her fast legwork.

John Goodman is perfectly cast as the patriarch of the Racer family, Pops Racer, whose skills and talent lies in car building and strategic driving/planning. Pops has been in the racing game for a long time and understands how the greed and corruption in the racing industry ruins lives and breaks up families. John Goodman is wonderfully robust and quick witted as Pops, even cracking jokes faster than Indiana Jones cracks whips.

Susan Sarandon is the mother of all mothers as Speed’s mum, Mom Racer. Sarandon makes Mom perkier than Jane Jetson, more womanly than Wilma Flinstone and is the emotional glue that keeps the Racer family together in times of trauma and tragedy. Not only is she adept in her pancake making and peanut-butter-and jelly sandwiches artistry, Mom also helps build cars alongside Pops.

Star of television series Lost, Matthew Fox gives a slightly subdued performance as the mysterious Racer X. Perhaps his character’s got something to hide? Fox brings a strong competitive streak to Racer X, who’s most animated in the car racing sequences and really comes alive on the track.


Other notable performances include British actor Roger Allam as the villainous EP Arnold Royalton whose tantrums are legendary; Australian actor Kick (Christopher) Gurry is hilarious as the Racer family’s sweet and sensitive resident mechanic Sparky; Korean superstar Rain as the reckless and ambitious driver Taejo Togokahn is superbly suited as the ally to Speed and Racer X; Paulie Litt is excellent as Speed’s annoying younger brother Spritle, along with his cheeky pet chimpanzee Chim Chim and a supporting cast of many cultures help highlight the international appeal of motor racing as a sport and passion.

Speed Racer seduces your senses by luring you into a fantasy world of vivid colours, chaos, cars and chromatic intensity. The Wachowski brothers have created a fun and family-friendly escapade which may set the benchmark for future fantasy or science fiction films with the use of visual/special effects.



WINNERS' CIRCLE: Kick Gurry, Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Christina Ricci and Emile Hirsch watch on as Paulie Litt and Chim Chim celebrate in Speed Racer. Image: Warner Brothers Pictures.

The Female of the Species; comedy farce theatre review

NO FEMME FATALE: Amanda Muggleton as Margot Mason (seated) and Rhiannon Owen as Molly Rivers in rehearsals for The Female of the Species. Image: Shane Reid.


The Funny Side of Feminism by Linh

Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith’s play, The Female of the
Species, is inspired by an incident involving famous feminist Germaine Greer, who was gagged and cuffed by a teenage girl at her country house in Essex.

That’s where the similarities end. The real dramatic thrust begins when family, friends and strangers enter the feminist’s home; forcing her to account for the legacy of her feminist polemics. The Female of the Species is about sexual politics, generational differences and the power and consequences of feminist literature.

One of Australia’s leading ladies of the stage, Amanda Muggleton, stars as the infamous feminist author of The Cerebral Vagina, Margot Mason.
Margot Mason is suffering serious writer’s block and facing deadline after deadline, as her publisher pushes for her to complete the latest best seller.
Margot is a witty and foul-mouthed provocateur, who loves French windows because they’re “slim, stylish and up themselves”.
Muggleton is superbly sharp with the puns and quick with the verbal twists, all delivered with panache; even though she performs most of the play while handcuffed to a table.

Rhiannon Owen makes her debut with the State Theatre of SA as Molly Rivers, the gun-toting teenager who takes Margot Mason hostage.
Molly Rivers was one of Margot’s students, yet her admiration turns to accusation. Molly blames Margot for ruining her life and for her mother’s death. Molly’s Mum took all of Margot’s advice and gave away her baby so as not to be enslaved by motherhood. She then jumped under a train as she was clutching The Cerebral Vagina to her breasts. Molly becomes a fan of the feminist and decides to sterilise herself in order to preserve her creativity. She becomes disheartened and angry when Margot tells her she has no talent.
Rhiannon Owen is capable of holding an audience captivated as her character holds Margot hostage. Owen handles the wordy and intelligent script with the same proficiency her character handles the handgun throughout the play. She is definitely one talented actress to watch in the future.

Adelaide’s own Michaela Cantwell plays Margot Mason’s daughter, Tess, who stumbles into her mother’s home in a state of exhaustion and confusion.
Tess has mindlessly wandered from her house, before taking a taxi to her mother’s home in order to escape the relentless noise of her children.
Tess is not too impressed when she hears of her mother’s disparaging remarks about motherhood being a form of domestic servitude. Tess has never known her father and her mother tries to keep it that way.
Michaela Cantwell is flawlessly funny and fiercely frank as the daughter of a celebrity feminist and an exhausted mother who refuses to go home until she knows “where Pokemons go for their holidays.”

The male members of the cast also have their way with the play’s questioning of the power and consequences arising from feminism.

Well-travelled Adelaidean, Peter Michell, portrays Tess’ doting and devoted husband, Bryan.
Bryan is a hardworking stockbroker who constantly spouts hilarious double entendres such as “I love you Tess, you know I’ve always mounted you on a pedestal.”
Peter Michell is a joy to watch and succeeds in making Bryan (a very sensitive new age guy) the only likeable character in the play.

Talented thespian and playwright Tony Briggs is the very masculine and macho taxi driver, Frank.
Frank enters Margot Mason’s home in order to ask Tess why she won’t listen to his problems. He also seems to know what women want and how he can give it to them.
Tony Briggs is in excellent form as the virile and ethnic young male, and adds a different level of energy to the play.

Allrounder Geoff Revell hams it up as Margot Mason’s over-the-top gay publisher, Theo.
Theo has been a long time friend and publisher to Margot, and was hassling her, over the phone, for a copy of her latest book before Molly appeared.
Geoff Revell is fabulously camp and convincing as the pushy publisher who holds a secret to Margot Mason’s past.
Although Theo appears only in the last thirty minutes of the play, Revell makes the most of every moment with his usual comic brilliance.

Production designer Mary Moore has created an awe-inspiring set where the cast is placed upon a huge open Macbook with a couple of bellowing (sacred) cows, and a living room adorned with many historical ‘female’ artefacts.

Director Catherine Fitzgerald has excelled in keeping the play engaging and entertaining for the audience and making it enjoyable for the actors.


NO ESCAPE: Margot Mason (Amanda Muggleton) tries to free herself as Molly Rivers (Rhiannon Owen) talks to Tess (Michaela Cantwell) in The Female of the Species. Image: Shane Reid.

Adelaide Festival of Arts - Northern Lights Display

Adelaide's Lights Spectacular by Linh

By day, the cultural precinct along North Terrace in Adelaide attracts crowds to marvel at the wonders inside the various buildings, but at night the attraction is external.

Throughout the 2008 Adelaide Festival of Arts season, buildings including Elder Hall, Bonython Hall and the Art Gallery are splashed with luminous lights from the entire rainbow spectrum for the Northern Lights display installation.

Sydney-based projection specialists, The Electric Canvas, have created a brilliant series of colourful and bright projections using digital software and huge French-made system projectors for the facades of art and cultural bulidings along North Terrace.

Northern Lights have about seventy diferent projections and changes every five minutes, delighting crowds of all ages who are keen to catch a glimpse or photograph the exhibition.

Northern Lights has been extended until the end of March 2008 from 8pm to 1am every night along North Terrace in the city.



Bonython Hall by day:


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Bonython Hall by night:


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Elder Hall by day:

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Elder Hall by night:


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Art Gallery by day:


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Art Gallery by night:


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South Australian Museum by day:


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South Australian Museum by night:


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Mitchell Building by day:


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Mitchell Building by night:


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Institute Building by day:


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Institute Building by night:


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Adelaide Fringe Festival - One Man Star Wars Trilogy; comedy review

A GALAXY OF HIS OWN: Charles Ross performs his solo comedy show One Man Star Wars Trilogy for the Adelaide Fringe Festival.
Image: Jason Woodruff

May The Laughs Be With You by Linh

After performing his comedy show One Man Star Wars Trilogy around the world for six years, Charles Ross can still keep the production fresh and spontaneous.

His characterisations of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, C3PO and Chewbacca are all performed on stage in scenes at a cracking pace. Charles Ross brings to life all the major and minor, good and evil characters from the original Star Wars trilogy without props, costumes or fancy special effects.

Charles Ross is a Star Wars addict who has seen the trilogy over 400 times, and handles all the characters and special effects with comedic flair. His Darth Vader voice is deep and disturbing, he buzzes to reveal a light saber, walks and grunts like a wookie. He sings the music, performs the opening credits, fights the battles and condenses the plots of all three original films into one hour.

The only downside to One Man Star Wars Trilogy is that one must be familiar with the Star Wars films and characters to really appreciate and comprehend the hilarity of the send-ups. The humour would be lost in space if one weren't au fait with the Star Wars phenomenon. Although, to watch a grown man re-live his childhood love of Star Wars on stage is a wonderous sight to behold and equally humourous.

Adelaide Fringe Festival - Rove McManus Stand Up Tour; comedy review

SOMETHING FISHY: Rove McManus fishes for laughs with his latest Adelaide Fringe comedy show.
Image: Token Artists

Comic Marvel by Linh

Thunderous drum beats in pitch darkness followed by an immediate burst of bright lights flooding the audience is how Rove McManus opens his latest stand up comedy show.

Rove McManus (real name John McManus) knows how to make an entrance and his self-titled Adelaide Fringe show highlights his witty nature and keen mental awareness of looking for opportunities to pounce on for laughs. Rove’s energetic and well-paced performance harpooning celebrities, politicians and technological advancements, sends the audience into fits of laughter.

Rove displays his personable side as he chats with audience members about nicknames or Adelaide’s record-breaking heatwave. Rove’s bemoaning of the heat bringing on heat rage and ways to stay cool while keeping your cool is comic gold. His bizarre and down-to-earth nature is evident as he’s bemused by other people’s dreams of fame and having their names in bright lights while he’s equally content with having his name in fish faeces.

Rove’s facial distortions, wild and effective movements and body language gives the show a theatrical vibe with sparks of spontaneity to keep the audience on their toes. Highlights include the classic Benny Hill sped up chase scenes complete with a short, bald and elderly man chasing a scantily clad woman on stage, his audio presentations of US President George W Bush’s numerous gaffes and Rove’s hip-swivelling rap song Baby Bump.

Rove McManus’ comic material reflects his individualistic comedic talents of making the mundane seem hysterical, while his natural ability of making the effort look effortless is admirable.

Before The Devil Knows You're Dead; crime thriller film review (Advance Screening)

DEVIOUS DUO: Andrew and Hank Hanson (Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke) discover their Mother is in a coma in Before The Devil Knows You're Dead.
Image: Will Hart, ThinkFilm.

Devilish Deeds by Linh

Director Sidney Lumet's latest crime thriller borrows the name and theme from the Irish proverb "May you be in Heaven half an hour before the Devil knows you're dead."
Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead is one of Lumet’s best directorial work and Kelly Masterson's excellent script combines intricately woven plots and interlaced flashbacks with a brilliant cast who brings bravado and energy to characters with few redeeming qualities.


The flashbacks are cleverly presented out of sequence and relates to a particular character; with each flashback labelled as before the robbery, the day of the robbery and days after the robbery.
Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead leaves the viewer breathless during some scenes and shocked during others, yet one never feels much sympathy for any of the characters.

The opening scene shows Philip Seymour Hoffman and Marisa Tomei, who play husband and wife Andrew and Gina Hanson, naked and performing an explicit sex act. They seem an unlikely pair with the hint that their marriage is in shambles. This scene is only the first piece of the bewildering puzzle and just the beginning of Andrew Hanson’s problems.

Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman is wonderfully convincing as the flawed and desperate Andrew Hanson who is defrauding his company, addicted to drugs and devises a plan to commit a robbery with his younger brother Hank.

Ethan Hawke gives a strong performance as the soft-hearted and gutless wonder Hank Hanson who’s estranged from his wife and teenage daughter, has numerous debts to pay and unwittingly agrees to his brother’s robbery plan.

In a commanding yet understated portrayal of Charles Hanson, father of Andrew and Hank, Albert Finney is a stand out. Finney provides Charles with the simmering rage underneath the calm composure despite being hell bent on revenge, even when he discovers the identity of the one responsible for his wife’s death is closer to home.

Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead succeeds in bringing rivetting performances, compelling moments featuring murder, adultery, drugs and revenge to create a meticulously crafted masterpiece.