Beautiful Kate 2009

     This film is loosely adapted from a novel by Newton Thornburg titled Cutter’s Way.  Sally Kendall has asked her older brother Ned Kendall to come back to the family home.  Their father is dying and Sally thought Ned should return to say goodbye before it’s too late.  Ned is a writer, in his 40’s, he hasn’t been home in 20 years and he brings his waitress girlfriend Toni with him.  Ned starts remembering his sister Kate and the time when they were children and then teenagers. 

     There is a lot going on in this film but it’s very slow paced.  The main subject is the breakdown of a family and the struggles of those remaining.  The countryside is very beautiful, rugged and barren.  It is a bit of a slog to complete and I’m not sure it’s worth the time?  2 ½* (This movie is so-so)

90 min, Drama directed by Rachel Ward with Ben Mendelsohn, Maeve Dermody, Rachel Griffiths, Sophie Lowe, Josh McFarlane, Bryan Brown, Suzie Bavaci, Daniel Binks, Heloise Baker, Eve Burner.

Note:  Imdb 6.7 out of 10, 83% critic 64% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.1* out of 5* with 16 reviews.

Special Note:  This movie was filmed in the Flinders ranges of South Australia.  The director, Rachel Ward was in The Thorn Birds and Against All Odds.  She also wrote the script for this movie.