Jindabyne

When does someone really die? When life departs from their body or when the living realize that they are gone? These questions come to mind when watching this film from Ray Lawrence.

Four friends on a weekend fishing trip discover a body of an aboriginal woman floating on the river. They choose to continue with the trip and report the body only after they have had their fun. This sends shock waves through the lives of the involved men especially Stewart (Gabriel Byrne). His wife Claire (Laura Linney) finds it hard to digest what her husband has done. Racial and familial tensions start to run high in this taunt drama which has you hooked but does not reel you in.

Rating: * * +

Lantana

Sex and deceit rule the lives of the characters in this film. They lie to themselves and their spouses. But in the end they are only human. Director Ray Lawrence throws pieces of a jigsaw puzzle at you. The seemingly easy puzzle starts to come together as the film progresses. But in the end they don't fit so well which is what makes this film so beautiful.

Rating: * * *