Blueback: a movie review by Alex First
With a strong environmental message, Blueback is a feel-good story about protecting and saving the reef.
Told in flashback, Abby Jackson (Mia Wasikowska) is a marine biologist, a professor working offshore, researching coral bleaching.
Unexpectedly, she receives a phone call to tell her that her mother, Dora (Radha Mitchell) has just had a stroke and can’t speak.
Urgently, Abby returns to where she grew up on the Western Australian coast.
That sparks strong memories of what a strong influence Dora was in helping to formulate Abby’s worldview.
Introduced to the ocean virtually from birth, Abby took another major step when she was eight.
As a child, she formed a lifelong bond to a wild blue groper whom she named Blueback.
Also unfolding is the ugly story of developers who are looking to move in and exploit the pristine land and sea that is the Jacksons’ home and surroundings.
Dora is passionate about keeping them out and holding them to account – a fervour that she passes on to her daughter.
Blueback also involves colourful characters and other influences on the pair’s lives.
Based on Tim Winton’s novel, first published in 1997, the movie is written and directed by Robert Connolly, with additional writing from Winton.
While the story looks and feels contrived (much of which comes down to the scripting), it still had the power to move me.
The performances are, by and large, solid.
Radha Mitchell is impressive as a spirited eco-warrior.
I thought the three actresses who play Abby did a fine job, starting with pre-teen Ariel Joy Donoghue and moving to Isla Fogg, who has a bigger role as a 15-year-old.
Mia Wasikowska (Bergman Island) has been stretched far beyond what is required of her here but still displays a level-headed maturity.
Eric Bana revels in a larger-than-life persona as an abalone fisherman who doesn’t mind bending the rules a little.
And then there’s a cheeky respect shown by Clarence Ryan as an older Briggs, Abby’s childhood friend
He stayed on while she pursued her studies and career much further afield.
The landscape and ocean shots – both in and out of the water – are spectacular and instantly hit the mark. The cinematography is by Andrew Commis, with the underwater vision from Rick Rifici.
With many emotional moments, Blueback is unashamedly manipulative.
It is a family film that some will appreciate more than others.
Rated PG, Blueback scores 6½ out of 10. (PG) Running time 103 mins.
