i've been looking forward to seeing this one for a while
for one it traces a road trip similar to our own mid-year jaunt
but the main appeal is that ed kuepper has composed the music
there are other big names involved too so anticipation levels high
the film opens in broken hill where cab-driver rex lives and works
he has no family, lives alone and enjoys spinning vinyl records
atlanta rhythm section - so into you - sees him grooving away
masters apprentices and richard clapton also heard and enjoyed
early scenes feature rex driving around town plying his trade
he picks up a mate and his latest conquest - mum's the word
soon after with his mates in a pub she is the publican's wife
at home he is seen joshing with his neighbour over the road
polly is an aboriginal woman who gives it as good as she gets
also moments of tenderness between them sitting on the porch
she concerned about his health and suggests a visit to the doctor
there we learn his stomach cancer has returned with a vengeance
he is told he has 3 months to live but typically he keeps that quiet
until he makes a call on a talkback radio show to a euthanasia doctor
it just so happens everyone he knows is tuned in and hears his confession
at first thinking - na - not likely - but then - well - talkback radio is king
nicole farmer (jacqi weaver) is the darwin-based doctor (philip nitschke)
in a flash rex has decided to seek her assistance and so drive to darwin
not one for hospitals or fond farewells he leaves a letter and heads off
and with that mr kuepper's sublime soundscape music really kicks in
stunning scenes of australia's dead heart best seen on a big screen
a road train streams past him leading to a smashed windscreen
pulling in at the nearest town - william creek - and into the pub
familiar too - we spent time there in a lake eyre flight stopover
which just adds to the very authentic feel of this fine aussie film
there a young aboriginal man hanging around repairs the windscreen
part payment being a ride in rex's cab to his home town of oodnadatta
tilly is a bit of a home town hero there - selected to play afl for essendon
he has a wife and kids and a confidence problem so didn't take the gig
rex warms to him as do we - he's a good-looking, fun-loving larrikin
there's also a club in darwin interested in his skills so he now on board
at a roadhouse along the way a blonde english barmaid serves them
she is instantly smittnen with tilley - ah yes - the romantic element
though rex is also putting into calls to polly and declaring his love
she not having it though - angry that rex has left his house to her
funny scenes at the roadhouse when tilly performs to the crowd
the butcher song - you but-cher left foot in, your left foot out....
totally feel good - not a hint of racism with this white crowd
tilly and julie hit it off and there's now 3 in the drive north
she is a qualified nurse so can also tend to a now ailing rex
they soon roll into darwin and straight to doctor farmer's clinic
she a little wary of rex's expectations to be quickly euthanised
a reality check with lawmakers imposing very tight conditions
various experts needing to sign off on his state of mental health
giving time for the film to further develop our 3 lead's relationships
rex is now in a physical mess and entirely dependent on nurse julie
tilly joins the afl club but sadly also hits the bottle with his mob
polly finally declares her love for rex - 'always have loved ya'
out of desperation julie agrees to use the euthansia kit on rex
and as the liquid enters his vein - he rips it out - ah - polly
bids farewell to julie and high-tails it back to broken hill
the final scene has him on his porch with her next to him
he will die - but not now - there's a happy ending to be had
what a great film and with a superb soundtrack in the mix
so much else to like about it also but mostly it's honesty
there's no sugar-coating of life in outback australia
just a lot of hardened but genuinely good people
so for that the film has hit home brilliantly...
