Stone Bros. (2009) Reviews

• Warm hearted and engaging

  emmerage2009-08-28

  There is something unique about this film beyond the plot and characters. Billed as the first Indigenous Australian comedy, Stone Bros. rightly places itself at the forefront of what is undoubtedly an original format. Like many Australian films, Stone Bros isn't shy in pointing out the flaws of its characters, and taking a dig at the local culture. However, the cast of characters are not the usual crowd, and the honest engagement with the audiences potential discomfort successfully manages to overcome a great deal of presumption about Indigenous culture, particularly in a rural or "Outback" setting. Endearing characters; humorous and ambitious. I'm particularly impressed with the success in fulfilling that ambition for, despite being a bit rough around the edges, this film lives up to its aims: to challenge dominant perceptions and present a film that all Australians can get behind and enjoy on a lighthearted level - but in consideration of serious issues. An important film, worth seeing:potentially an Australian classic.

• A refreshing look into a side of Australia rarely examined.

  diane-342009-10-08

  Diane and I watched Stone Bros. last night at SX Luna in Fremantle and both of us enjoyed it hugely. We particularly enjoy our films because they examine reality without blinkers and Stone Bros. is no exception. There will be commentators who will rubbish the film for, pick your poison: stereotyped characters and situations, generalities, predictability of situations, in short all the regular suspects. However, by what standard do you judge a film, the like of which has never been made? Aboriginal films are rare enough on screens and when they are diverting and funny and entertaining as Stone Bros. then I feel that the standard film criteria must be reset. A road trip from Perth to Kalgoorlie is an extraordinarily rare film situation to begin with and then to throw in two Aboriginal men as the main characters on this trip is a recipe for interest and because of good scripting and great acting, you are set for a fascinating journey. Luke Carroll and Leon Burchill supported by a wonderful cast make for an excellent viewing experience. To gain a look into contemporary Aboriginal society is a rare experience and for the writers to produce a gentle film with a myriad of insights into that culture is highly commendable. I think people should make every effort to view Stone Bros.

• A great Indigenous Australian comedy! thumbs up!

  ajames4102011-11-26

  Well worth watching. Solid acting from the highly talented lead actors, supported by a range of other excellent actors. The plot is not the best but it is great to see an comedy with this subject matter produced in Australia. The movie has amazing dialogue. I found it to be very funny, overall quite entertaining and I would recommend checking it out. For a low budget Australian production it is great! Very well written thumbs up! It tries to be more than just a comedy but I feel it really only works on the one level. I wish more films like this would be funded, made and produced. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie on TV tonight and it is the second time I have seen it. Including Cheech and Chong style marijuana humor! Support a low budget film and check it out!

• Fun sometimes, but misses the mark

  jonathan-5772009-10-17

  This movie is as easy to like as it is difficult to enjoy. In essence, Frankland sets out to make an Aboriginal ocker comedy, with rampant vulgarity and low humour played off of race and identity issues of some depth. Only they aren't really played off so much as alternated, and they undermine each other. It's too scattershot; the attempts at addressing serious themes keep getting lost in the digressions, and the comic momentum gets killed by the reflective stuff. And neither element holds up in and of itself, either. The race issues are not well integrated into the thin fabric of the characters; and for every gag that hits bulls-eye, there are three that hit the dirt, running aground on miscalculated timing or emphasis, bad choices in framing, or overextension. Finally they throw up their hands and climax with an outrageous, Pythonesque possessed-dog bit, funny in itself - for a while - but not exactly rife with thematic relevance! The Italian hitch-hiker and cross-dressing cousin in the back seat could easily have been removed from the movie entirely, allowing us more time to get to know the quite likable leads.