Director Rolf de Heer has been fearless in his story choices. Refusing to stick to one genre, his work has successfully showed his versatility. Charlie’s Country is the latest local production proving how different he can be. A comedic drama exploring someone’s determination to be different from the norm mirrors that of its helmer. Just as interesting as his earlier films, it adds to de Heer’s catalogue of fine Australian films.
Charlie (David Gulpilil) is an Aboriginal living in a remote community and unhappy with government intervention into his land. Refusing to live under the enforcement of laws of white-men, he decides to take matters into his own hands. Seeing his family and friends going with the flow, Charlie takes off on his own travels. Little does he know of the events soon to take place bringing new perspective to his wayward existence.
Charlie’s Country successfully encompasses an array of emotions. At once angry, funny and insightful these paint an interesting portrait of Charlie’s life. His thoughts are well used to convey several currently taboo topics. Issues regarding the controversial intervention among Aboriginals and the social devastation it brings reveals the film’s many layers. That it also manages to be occasionally amusing is a testament to the script’s strong qualities.
Although never providing any genuine answers, Charlie’s Country shows how Charlie learns to adapt. Change is never easy with supposed good intentions seen as anything but. Gulpilil adds another stellar performance to his catalogue of roles. Like anyone, his character is a complex individual full of contradictions. It’s a credit to Gulpilil’s talents that he makes Charlie a likeable person which makes it easy to follow his often-tortuous journey.
Another fine production from de Heer, Charlie’s Country makes effective use of its good cast and scenery. It again proves his ability in crafting intriguing stories in a topical and entertaining way rarely seen.
Reviewed by Patrick Moore
Rating out of 10: 8
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