RED DOG

Red Dog is the name of a hitchhiking kelpie with a bad case of wind who unites the community of Dampier, an outback mining town in Western Australia. Based on a true story, the film has lots of good Aussie stuff (sharks, red dirt, pub sing-a-longs, and mateship) to the point of resembling an extended Tooheys commercial. Originally written by British novelist Louis De Bernieres, it has loads of wonderful trademark themes that resonate in his work such as love and loss with a good dollop of magical realism. Aussie faces you’ll recognise include Noah Taylor, Loene Carmen, and a small cameo by Bill Hunter. This feel-good movie will leave you with a smile on your face and a lump in your throat. (ES)

***1/2