Last Ride

Actor Hugo Weaving (The Matrix, Lord of the Rings) steps out of the fantasy genre to play a criminal psychopath in the drama Last Ride. As Kev, Weaving brings a credible and unsettling mix of danger and tenderness to his character, who is on the run for a killing, traversing the Australian countryside with his young son, Chook (Tom Russell). Adapted for the screen by director Glendyn Ivin and screenwriter Mac Gudgeon from a novel by Denise Young, this is a beautifully filmed tale of a father and son constantly on the move—stealing money, food, and cars—with Kev doing damage to innocent victims along the way (including Chook, who takes a lot of abuse). As the title suggests, the story here is really about waiting for little Chook to figure out that he can't live this way and finally take matters in his own hands. Although sometimes monotonous on a narrative level, Weaving is something of a revelation as a complicated, unpredictable monster. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Glendyn Ivin, cinematographer Greig Fraser, and editor Jack Hutchings, five behind-the-scenes featurettes (12 min.), a “Pungalina—Seven Emu: This Is Where We Live” location featurette (5 min.), and two short films by Ivin: the 2003 Palme d'Or-winning “Cracker Bag” and 2006's “The Desert” (23 min.). Bottom line: a solid extras package for a film featuring a showcase performance by Weaving.] (T. Keogh)