Romulus, My Father (2007)

Director:

Richard Roxburgh

Writers:

Nick Drake (writer)
Raimond Gaita (memoir)

Release Date:

31 May 2007 (Australia)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Plot:

It tells the story of Romulus, his beautiful wife, Christina, and their struggle in the face of great adversity to bring up their son, Raimond. It is a story of impossible love that ultimately celebrates the unbreakable bond between father and son.

Plot Keywords:

Love | Romanian | Poverty | 1960s | Madness

Awards:

8 wins & 23 nominations

Cast

Eric Bana	...	Romulus
Franka Potente	...	Christina
Marton Csokas	...	Hora
Kodi Smit-McPhee	...	Raimond
Russell Dykstra	...	Mitru
Jacek Koman	...	Vacek
Alethea McGrath	...	Mrs. Lillie
Terry Norris	...	Tom Lillie
Esme Melville	...	Miss Collard
Nick Peace	...	Teacher
Geoffrey Graham	...	Man in Cafe
Trevor Nesbitt	...	Man in Cafe
Zoe Boesen	...	Young Woman in Cafe
Briega Young	...	Young Woman in Cafe
Laurie Jensen	...	Taxi Driver

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality, some violence and brief language.

Runtime:

104 min | Canada:109 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

Australia

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Canada:14A | USA:R | Argentina:13 | Singapore:M18 | Brazil:14 | Finland:K-15 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Bendigo, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Arenafilm

Trivia:

First film for both Kodi Smit-McPhee and directorial debut for Richard Roxburgh (though he has previously worked as a theater director).

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the diner scene, Christina plays the record "My Prayer" by the Platters on the Laurie label. The record was actually released on Mercury.

Quotes:

Mitru: I wish it could be the way it used to be. When we were friends.

Soundtrack:

My Prayer

An amazing story with truly convincing performances

After watching Romulus, My Father I was really impressed with how realistic and convincing the performances were in this film. The acting was superb especially Eric Bana and the boy and I was really drawn into the film. I completely forgot about everything else and felt like I was right there. The acting was so convincing, the sounds, the scenes, the mood and the whole atmosphere in the film really pulled me in. At times during the first half of the film it was slightly slow-moving but this was mainly due to a lot of good character development and getting to know the setting, and we really get to know the boy in the film. Some of Eric Bana's moments near the end of the film were just amazing. Although he was great throughout the whole film, he really did hit the mark near the end. It's just the way that his character gradually changed that amazes me and it looks like he really did put a big effort into his performance because it is (or very close to) the performance of his career so far. As an Aussie, I've been disappointed with a few recent Aussie films but this one was no disappointment. Some people may find it a little slow-moving to begin with but easily makes up for that with all of its great qualities and an ending that may draw some tears from some people. 8/10