Tomorrow When the War Began
It’s a beloved series of books that’s been part of lives of many young Australians. It’s one of the most hotly anticipated releases in Australian film ever. And, when it comes down ti it, Tomorrow When the War Began is a truly awesome film.
Following the lives of eight teenagers who are on holiday in the Australian bush when the country is invaded by an unknown hostile army, the film is remarkably true to the opening novel of John Marsden’s acclaimed and highly successful series.
Caitlin Stasey is wonderfully strong as heroine and narrator Ellie Lynton, bringing a self command to the role that is sure to leave diehard fans of the novels satisfied and cry out for more. While her rather clipped Australian English seems slightly out of place in the country town of Wirrawee, it is sure to make her more accessible to filmgoers outside of Australia.
Lincoln Lewis and Rachel Hurd-Wood have a fantastic chemistry as Kevin and Corrie, playing off the subtleties of their relationship to be a believably tumultuous teenage couple. Lewis in particular brings a sweet sensitivity to the role of die-hard coward, making the moments of bravery among the most powerful in the film.
Possibly the most poignant performances in the film is that of Chris Pang, as reclusive Lee, who manages to steal several scenes without saying a word. The iron self-control that he shows alongside an admirable passion makes this one of the most restrained and moving performances I’ve seen from a young actor in a long time.
Even in a movie this dark and bloody, a healthy amount of comedy worms its way to the fore often through Andy Ryan, whose quirky, very Australian sense of humour and wonderfully comic timing bring a freshness and joy to a film that might otherwise threaten to overwhelm an audience with it’s dark subject matter. His description of his experience of the war beginning is blackly funnyand must be seen to be truly appreciated.
Of course, all of this would have been impossible without writer and director Stuart Beattie, of Australia and Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl fame. A self-proclaimed fan of the novels, Beattie says that he “made a movie that he would like to watch as a fan, and hoped that other fans would like it too.” Indeed, his devotion ti the film shines through the script, along with a puckish sense of humour that leaves his audience groaning (but in a good way).
Working closely with the cast to build a strong sense of community between them, he has taken a group of largely unknown and mostly Australian young actors and created at east a few unstoppable forces that should take the Australian film scene by storm – and created a stunning blend of Australian comedy and Hollywood blockbuster along the way.
Tomorrow When the War Began opens across Australia on September 2nd.