Historical dramas like these are the type that win awards, and The Water Diviner  already has, having won (in a tie) Australia’s Best Film AACTA.  It is the directorial debut of actor Russell Crowe, and it spotlights an important episode in history: the battle of Gallipoli.  It is the story of one particular family’s tragedy, yet it is universal in regard to war and survival.  It feels like it ought to be a great movie, and yet I don’t believe it is.  It’s a good film, perhaps very good, but not a great one.

Russell Crowe’s movie, inspired by true events, follow an Australian father (Crowe) to Turkey after the battle of Gallipoli, to recover the bodies of his three sons, who died there.  In Istanbul he meets a pretty Turkish woman (Olga Kurylenko) for whom he develops feelings, but his quest remains paramount.  Sneaking into Gallipoli, he finds the remains of two of his sons but not the third, who may still be alive.  He spends the rest of the story looking for the son, wondering why the boy never returned home after the war.

Filmed on locations in Australia and Turkey the film has an authenticity which is essential to its story.  It also helps that the primary Turkish roles are portrayed by Turkish actors, Yilmaz Erdogan and Cem Yilmaz, both of whom are excellent.  The only other familiar face for me is that of Jai Courtney.  Crowe directs the film with sensitivity and a minimum of style, allowing the story to evolve naturally.

My quibbles with the film revolve around the lack of exposition.  Not being familiar with Australian and Turkish history, I wish the situation surrounding the Gallipoli battle was better explained.  This also applies to the later scenes, when the Turks are set upon by Greeks.  I was also confused by the “underground” political intrigue in Istanbul, and why the Australian officer is so adamantly opposed to Crowe’s journey.

What resonates is Crowe’s relationship with Major Hasan (Yilmaz Erdogan), who knows more about the fate of Crowe’s sons than he will ever admit.  As they face danger together, these two men find common ground, and shared humanity.  It is this, plus the chemistry between Crowe and Olga Kurylenko, that provides the film with its greatest power.  The Water Diviner reminded me in some ways of The English Patient, another very good post-war drama that left me somewhat cold.  I would have liked to enjoy both of them more.  ☆ ☆ ☆.  12 May 2015.