Blueback

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Blueback

PG

Released Mar 3, 2023

1h 42m

Kids & Family

Drama

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

While researching Australia's deteriorating coral reefs, marine biologist Abby receives word of her elderly mother Dora's stroke. As she rushes to her seaside hometown to care for Dora, Abby recalls her childhood years spent living in concert with the ocean, and her mother's efforts to protect the bay from greedy developers and invasive fishermen alike, often to the detriment of their own relationship. Among the coral gardens, Abby befriends a rare fish, the blue groper -- affectionately named Blueback -- a tether to her environmentalism, and the key to reminding Abby and Dora of their love for each another and the vulnerable waters they call home. Based on Tim Winton's 1997 novella of the same name, Blueback is a complex and emotional film about a mother and daughter's passion for the ocean and each other. Mia Wasikowska, Radha Mitchell, and Eric Bana star in this poignant, visually stunning film that serves as a beautiful reminder of the power within all of us to make a difference.

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Critics Consensus

While it may be narratively slight and somewhat preachy, Blueback is a beautifully filmed family drama with an ecologically conscious message.

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

A lovely, sweet family film.

Mar 15, 2023

Full Review

Amy Nicholson

New York Times

You can feel barnacles on the dialogue, like when a corporate bully (Erik Thomson) growls, “You and your mom really think you can stop this, don’t you?”

Rated: C+

Mar 3, 2023

Full Review

Stephanie Zacharek

TIME Magazine

Manages to be pensive and breezy at once, a reflection on the way those who raise us sometimes impart their most noble values to us even as they’re driving us crazy—and their little ways of annoying us are often the things we miss most when they’re gone.

Mar 3, 2023

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Dazzles with brilliant underwater photography.

Rated: B

Apr 17, 2023

Full Review

Yip Wai Yee

The Straits Times (Singapore)

It is a universal all-ages call to environmental activism, because the passion of just one girl does make a difference.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 31, 2023

Full Review

Whang Yee Ling

The Straits Times (Singapore)

This slight but engaging eco-family film needs to impress upon you that the marine ecosystem is dying from climate change and destructive commerce.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 29, 2023

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Karen D

a beautiful watch. Somewhat slow and dreamy but if you want to view Australian land and seascapes at its best make the effort to watch from beginning to end. As an Eric Bana fan he can never do anything wrong as far as I am concerned. Great performances by all. a few holes in the storyline but who cares when you are viewing scenery that wows

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/24

Full Review

Julie J

Loved this movie! Loved the power of Abby and Dora following their passions and supporting the marine world. Fantastic heroism and wonderful story telling!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/24

Full Review

Adam M

i think the movie was dog shit and i would not recommend watching it

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/24

Full Review

Cyrus G

This movie was absolutely dog and no one should watch this crap of a movie

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/24

Full Review

S B

Being Perth born and raised and having holidayed in Bremer Bay and WA's SW many times as a kid probably makes me a little biased here but I digress. Scenery is beautiful, story is simple yet well played out, acting is on point. Bit of a nostalgia trip for this viewer but Winton's stories always seem to evoke a feeling of familiarity and nostalgia which I find endearing. Another beautifully made movie showcasing Western Australia.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/04/23

Full Review

Chaitanya M

Beautiful locations, amazingly acted, a sweet drama that had to pay the cost of its time muddling screenplay. Linear storytelling would have worked much better for this plot, and direction & cinematography should've done more to observe the beauty of the scenes; there was a lot, yet a lot left to be desired. Liked it overall, though, I mean how not to with Blueback and Abby's bond being the best part of the movie. Also, shoutout to the makeup department for their great work.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/17/23

Full Review

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Robert Connolly

Director

Mia Wasikowska

Abby

Radha Mitchell

Dora

Ilsa Fogg

Teen Abby

Ariel Donoghue

Young Abby

Liz Alexander

Older Dora

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Synopsis

While researching Australia's deteriorating coral reefs, marine biologist Abby receives word of her elderly mother Dora's stroke. As she rushes to her seaside hometown to care for Dora, Abby recalls her childhood years spent living in concert with the ocean, and her mother's efforts to protect the bay from greedy developers and invasive fishermen alike, often to the detriment of their own relationship. Among the coral gardens, Abby befriends a rare fish, the blue groper -- affectionately named Blueback -- a tether to her environmentalism, and the key to reminding Abby and Dora of their love for each another and the vulnerable waters they call home. Based on Tim Winton's 1997 novella of the same name, Blueback is a complex and emotional film about a mother and daughter's passion for the ocean and each other. Mia Wasikowska, Radha Mitchell, and Eric Bana star in this poignant, visually stunning film that serves as a beautiful reminder of the power within all of us to make a difference.

Director: Robert Connolly
Producer: Robert Connolly, James Grandison, Liz Kearney
Screenwriter: Robert Connolly, Robert Connolly
Distributor: Amor Media
Production Co: Arenamedia
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Drama, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 3, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 21, 2023
Runtime: 1h 42m

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