Rams: a Nick Scott review

This seemed like it was a set-up for a fairly simple comedy but,  while it was a comedy, a fairly dark one, the plot was not so simple. It’s an adaptation of an Icelandic narrative to Western Australia.

The beginning was very ordinary. So very ordinary I considered leaving just before it was half way through. Then, one simple piece of information turned the whole story into something you just had to watch.

It’s a rural story with rural characters and the juxtaposition of rural characters and urban bureaucratic characters. There are two brothers in a complex relationship. There is tragedy and there is triumph.

The brother played by Sam Neil is remisicent of other characters portrayed by Sam Neil in his extensive film career. But, the other brother, the character played by Michael Caton, is incredible. It’s like the part was written for him.

Most people remember Michael Caton from his lead role in The Castle. Caton’s role in Rams is not so funny.

Michael Caton will probably not win awards for his work but I think it is just about worth seeing the film for his characterisation alone. It may not be pleasant or likeable but it is believable and the sort of person you have met somewhere.

The other characters are well written and none of them are just space-fillers.

This film is not meant to be a “laugh out loud” affair like a classic Australian film. It is much more interesting and it makes good use of its Australian Outback setting. But do not go to see it expecting a typical comedy. It is not that kind of film.

https://www.flicks.co.nz/features/sam-neill-and-michael-caton-talk-to-flicks-about-their-new-film-rams/

Nick Scott Nick Scott has a B.A from The University of Waikato where he studied film under Sam Edwards. Nick has retained a keen interest in cinema. He studied Te Reo Maori at Te Wananga O Aotearoa part-time for 3 years and then from 2014 to 2016 Nick collaborated in writing “The Traveller’s guide to Maori Place Names”.  Nick is a regular Film Reviewer on ARTbop.  Nick has received occasional tickets from the wonderful Rialto Cinema in Downtown Tauranga!