The Water Diviner

[ladams888]

Saw this in a completely packed Wimbledon. Shame about all the late-comers – a 10:30 start is just that, so please don’t come in 20 minutes after the start and then disrupt everybody trying to find a seat. If there are free seats in the front row – take them, that is the penalty for arriving long after the film has started.

The film looked at how we are all touched by the ravages of war long after the event. The worst thing is simply not knowing what happened to your loved ones. Do you carry on hoping or do you move on? This was the question affecting millions of surviving relatives of the missing of WW1 (and any war for that matter). Russell Crowe’s character (Joshua Connor) was excellent as the bereaved father trying to find his sons’ bodies in Gallipoli. It’s the type of role he excels in – the strong, silent guy with a sad heart. Yilmaz Erdogan, as the helpful Turkish major (and therefore “the enemy”) was also excellent and made us realise that we are not so different from our enemies. A moving, beautifully shot film about people finding peace after a war. 9/10

[mathew1971]

Enjoyed this in Manchester on Sunday - however as others have commented regarding latecomers and mobile users.

Latecomers should not be allowed - if you dont get there before it starts....tough!

I had a guy sitting along from me on his mobile texting and web i assume for the first 30mins.... FFS why bother coming!!!!! I only didnt say anything because i was with my father in law and didnt want to make a scene.

Its time the cinemas tightened up on this behaviour.... RANT OVER

As for the film - a solid 8/10 from me.

[Beate]

Loved this. Made me cry though couldn't figure out how they found the bodies quite so quickly and identified them as well? In 1915 without DNA tests? The father didn't really do anything except tell them the date they died! And I am afraid I still don't really know anything about that particular war, but it wasn't supposed to be a history lesson, just a story about loss, grief and promises made. And love, symbolised by too much sugar in coffee.

9/10

Had a woman to my right who took her shoes off and rested her smelly feet on the back of the seat in front. How gross is that? Luckily Islington wasn't very full and she was the only one with behavioural problems!

[valda]

Loved this. Made me cry though couldn't figure out how they found the bodies quite so quickly and identified them as well? In 1915 without DNA tests? The father didn't really do anything except tell them the date they died! And I am afraid I still don't really know anything about that particular war, but it wasn't supposed to be a history lesson, just a story about loss, grief and promises made. And love, symbolised by too much sugar in coffee.

9/10

Had a woman to my right who took her shoes off and rested her smelly feet on the back of the seat in front. How gross is that? Luckily Islington wasn't very full and she was the only one with behavioural problems!

Dog Tags Beate

I've had a fair few arguments with people taking their shoes off, dirty buggers.

[funthing29]

Acting wise was Crowe was OK but I was not impressed with his directorial debut. He often used cheap and obvious tricks to try and portray emotion. The plot was too simplistic in parts and underdeveloped in others. The tone also veered into corny territory at times and what a ridiculous ending. 5/10.

[missgotty]

I was pretty unimpressed by this film. The love romance seems to come out from nowhere especially with the tea leaves predictions. I generally wasn't convinced by the acting or the characters.

4/10

[raj101]

RC treads the safe cliches well in a touching, basic, slightly cloying, but gorgeously shot post-Gallipoli statement on all our war brutalities.

4 stars