Oranges and Sunshine

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Myself

This is a pretty straight forward little film, the trailer sums it up nicely. Some great actors, and quite a few good quiet dramatic moments. Never overly sentimental or showy and manages to resist the temptation to sensationalise the events of this true story. Instead it feels grounded and real as we follow Emily Watson's portrayal of Margaret Humphreys and her personal journey through these events.

From the trailer I was expecting more of a passionate uplifting ending that would leave all the old ladies in the audience weeping with joy as children are reunited with their long lost parents. The film never goes that far. In fact it denies us that in all but one instance at the very beginning. It's actually a very smart move, always the story is focused on Humphreys' personal story. It finishes not with a triumphant government recognition or reward for her work but with her own acceptance of the enormity of the task, the toll it will take and most difficult of all, her need to accept that she can't fix what has happened.

Hugo Weaving, David Wenham, Emily Watson and the rest of the cast are all great. It was also a bit of a kick to see Perth on the big screen, a rarity indeed. Technically all the parts did their job, nothing stood out as being particularly amazing but I guess it's not really needed in a story like this. I don't know the events of the true story or from the book on which it was based but the film makes no hesitations in laying the blame.

I find this to be a far more interesting take on telling a tragic true story such as this. There's no easy answers and there's no flash forwards to present day to recognise any kind of government resolution that was made. It keeps it tougher than that and avoids the melodrama the trailer might suggest. Pretty good.