User Reviews

Last Ride opens with a man named Kev (Hugo Weaving) entering a coffee shop with his young son named Chook (Tom Russell). Kev proceeds to use the bathroom in the shop to cut off some of his own hair. Yet when he also removes the number plate from his car, it becomes more apparent that Kev is determined to conceal his whereabouts and his identity. It is eventually revealed that Kev has murdered someone and is running from the law with his son. Together they endure a road trip across Australia and much of the film is spent dealing with the interplay between the father and son on the road and into the outback. With his short temper Kev is a dangerous and dislikeable man, often violent to both strangers and his son alike. Despite this, he never forgets that he is still Chooks father and continues to try and teach him lessons in life.

Based on the novel by Denise Young and directed by Glendyn Ivin, this is yet another quiet and intensive Australian film, driven by a superb performance from its lead actor, Hugo Weaving. The verisimilitude of the character of Kev is derived from the significant detail placed into his appearance. From his tattoos and rugged facial hair, his scars and bruises, Kev is a fearsome looking man and this is further realised when we learn that he has already spent time in gaol. He remains entirely repelling in almost all of his actions. He is both a thief and murderer, with an extremely short fuse for anyone that gets in his way, including his son Chook. His first words to his son as he hands him some change in the coffee shop are: 'I want a burger and a coffee. Get whatever you want.' While seemingly insignificant, this establishes his dogmatic manner and simultaneously the rather uneven way that he caters towards his sons needs. As he strokes Chook's forehead as he sleeps, we understand that there is unusual complexion between the thuggery of prison life still inside of him and the father that he should be. Given how deplorable Kev is at times, it is testimony to the skill of Weaving that the performance remains wholly absorbing. Weaving is a lifetime away from some of the more famous roles he is known for, such as Agent Smith in The Matrix and V from V for Vendetta. It's an outstanding performance. Yet given that our sympathy rests on the shoulders of young Tom Russell's character, one cannot praise his performance enough either. Russell is equally superb in his role, looking and sounding just like an ordinary child, with wants and needs, dragged along through this chaos and far too young to understand the consequences.

A great deal of tension in the film is derived not only from how Kev treats his son, but what could result from this later in life. Kev mentions at one point in the film about how his own father left him out in the desert to teach him a lesson and towards the end of the film, as they are crossing a lake, Kev too leaves Chook by himself and drives off. The echo of the stories here reminds us of the way that poor parenting is passed down from father to son. It is impossible not wonder from moments like this, and also when Chook starts shoplifting, whether Chook will become like his dad too. Though the final third of the film is quite slow and ponderous, perhaps fitting with the tranquillity of the landscape, the questions about Chook's future are answered in a very satisfying manner, as we start to see how he rejects his father's ways and begins thinking for himself. These scenes, many of which are beautifully photographed, are also punctured by a powerful climax that many are sure to find extremely moving. It is the credibility of the interplay between the father and his son that lays the platform for the emotion in the ending, without veering into sentimentality.

Last Ride is slow burning and intense film, buoyed by two terrific performances. Hugo Weaving deserves many of the accolades that he is surely to receive for this performance and Tom Russell has also shown great potential as well. There are many brutal and confronting moments in this film and the pace is often very slow and ponderous, but the film's ability to surprise the viewer with new information about Kev's past and to develop the characters in an emotional finale remains highly rewarding. It is a really fine film.

A young boy is seen with a gun in between parked cars. It is an intriguing premise. One cannot fail to wonder if it is a real gun, or just a toy one. Evidently the boy, Chook, and his father Kev, are running away from a bad situation at home. They take to the road, making their first stop at Kev's old lover, Maryanne. She wants him out, but Kev convinces her for one more tumble in the sack, for old times sake, before asking for her money.

Kev discovers what appears to be an abandoned house. He manages to get Chook inside through an opening in a window. Kev has been telling Chook about their possible Afghani lineage, so when the boy discovers some strange costumes, he believes they are from Afghanistan. Chook also sees a woman that appears to be praying in a room of the house, dressed in a strange costume. The woman tells him she is from India. Kev, surprising them, forces her into submission and proceeds to steal her car and money. Chook's souvenir is her cell phone.

Father and son begin a long odyssey traveling through the outback. Kev's only source of getting money is by stealing whatever he can in order for him and Chook to feed themselves. Kev shows a mean streak toward his son. When the boy finds some cosmetics in the car of the Indian lady, he paints his lips and eyes with them. Kev is mortified, beating his son with his belt. It is at this point we get to know the real reason for Kev's running away. In flashbacks we see Max, a friendly man that might, or might not be a sexual predator. Kev's savage beating probably is the cause of his friend's death.

Staying in a secluded area, away from the police, Kev tries bonding with the boy, but his cruelty toward his son does not sit well with Chook. As Kev tries to stay away from the police he saw near the camping ground where he and Chook were, they come to the shallow Lake Gairtner, where the father, in a fit of anger, tries to abandon the boy. Chook figures a way out of the ordeal his old man has put him through by using the cell phone to alert the authorities. At the end, Kev has figured he does not want to go to prison again, deciding on a desperate action.

"Last Ride" made an impression on this viewer. It was directed by Glendyn Ivin and based on a novel by Denise Young. The screen adaptation is by Mac Gudgeon. The director's view of the material translates beautifully in front of our eyes. The result is on a look at a desperate man against the glorious scenery of that part of Australia, most of us do not get to see. The sequence on Lake Gairtner is pure poetry, thanks to the excellent cinematography of Greig Fraser, who continues to show his artistry in every project he is involved with.

The film is a tour de force by Hugo Weaving, one of Australia's best actors. His Kev is a cruel man, showing traces of having been sexually abused while in jail. Thus his reaction toward the situation with Max and his horror at his son painted face, something that might remind him of his past. Young Tom Russell holds his own opposite his more experienced co-star. One appreciate Chook's hard look at the life he has led and the abuse from a father that is tough on him. Appearing shortly is the excellent Anita Hegh as Maryanne. John Brumpton is also seen briefly as Max.

One can only hope the best to the talented Glendyn Ivin in the future.

First I must say that this is a drama that can make most people sad, so do think twice about watching this and pick the right mood for it. But the fact that it brings depression does not mean it is not a good movie. On the contrary, it is a brilliant one.

A very dark story is what this film presents. It is about a Dad and a son's journey, and the Dad is a fugitive from justice. I do not want to ruin the story but I can conclude that the story is not at all difficult to understand. The audience may have some questions in the beginning but they are answered as the film develops, through recalling of past memories by the characters.

The movie is realistic and believable, thanks to an incredible script, well-written dialogue and brilliant performances. The two main characters are very professional and amazing at their roles.

This movie makes the audience think about a lot of things. Given by the dark plot is a valuable lesson for us all. There is superb character development. The relationship of the father and the son is indeed the main focus. We see the son's mixed love and hate towards his Dad, and the father's deep concern for his son in spite of his violent nature. It raises a lot of thoughts in our mind, like how parents should treat their kids and what "the right thing to do" is.

I would like to point out another achievement of this movie. The film takes place across Australia, and the scenery is simply "wow". This movie does not hold back aspects of the country's natural beauty. The audience has the chance to see a whole lot of wonders: the desert, the forest, mountains, even a frozen lake.

"Last Ride" is a drama dealing with extremely dark themes and there are scenes that may be disturbing for some throughout the whole movie. This is definitely not the kind of movie that we watch and have a blast, and it is one-hundred percent not suitable for young children. Nonetheless, it is very successful in its realistic portrait and its powerful performances, and is highly recommended as a thought-provoking and touching drama.

So I finally watched this 11 years past it's release. I enjoyed the scene featuring a flip phone. Nostalgia at it's best.

The story is simple enough. A drifter type is coming to the end of his rope. He suffers from memories of his own tough childhood, and while I think he tries to do better by his son, his past catches up with him.

I highly recommend this for anyone who has had a parent who walked the line between abusive and loving. Whether it be from addiction, mental illness, or their own abusive childhood.