In the Australian set drama Crowe portrays farmer Connor in post war 1919. Connor travels to Turkey after The Battle of Gallipoli which has claimed the lives of his three sons. There, he locates his sons graves as well as proof that one may still be alive.
The move from actor to director can be a risky one. This is not to say it cannot be successful, just look at Clint Eastwood. Yet, that being said, actors tend to gain backing on their acting credentials rather than the potential of their directing project because it can go wrong so often.
The films looks interesting enough, boasting good a enough cast and impressive visuals. Yet the issue I see with this film is the fact that it is a cliché. The role is that "every man hero overcoming unspeakable odds for the love of family" trope. It is the kind of role an actor would cast themselves in, Oh wait! Crowe did. It falls in with the pit of actors turned directors whose projects are frankly too Hollywood such as the recent Unbroken farce (sorry, Jolie). It also carries the inspired by true events tag line which always leaves me sceptical.
The film gained financial and critical success in its home country but can it maintain it abroad. The question as to whether or not Crowe can deliver a film of any real substance remains to be seen.
The Water Diviner is out April 3rd