Best movie ever!

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

I really liked this movie. I never felt it was too long or boring. In fact, the movie gave me space to reflect and to do my own soul searching as I watched the main character trying to find a way, trying to find himself. Is he the hopeless man who ruined it for his family and brought shame on and abandoned his son? Or is he something more, something he can only find by being given a new chance by an understanding prison warden and by connecting with these birds of prey who also need help? More than anything I liked this movie for the glimps it gave into how humans can be good to each other even though it is difficult. There is a way if we are willing to try.

An amiable, well filmed, yet unfulfilled Australian movie, Craig Monahan's Healing is an easy to like but strangely cold drama that continues on the modern day trend of local movies failing to reach their potential, and in this case failing to do so despite a very rounded and experienced cast.Healing should've provided meaty roles to some of Australia's most experienced talent (Hugo Weaving), underrated talent (Don Hany from TV's East West 101), up and coming talent (Xavier Samuel) and renowned supporting talent (Anthony Hayes) yet Monahan as writer/director doesn't illicit enough emotional heft to make audience members care and in turn be affected by the plight of these men. Weaving by far comes off best as kind and caring prison officer Matt Perry while Hany can't quite grasp the accent or the pent up rage of lead Viktor Khadem while Samuel and Hayes are wasted on stereotypical prison inmates in the form of young inmate Paul and prison kingpin Warren respectively. Monahan can also be blamed for failing to capitalise on his metaphorical story of inwardly healing with the films central story conceit.Around the story of these troubled men is the fact inmates lead by Khadem have been charged with the provision of a bird sanctuary in which birds of prey are nursed back to health and subsequently released back into the wild – no guesses in what the birds represent. This story plight feels sadly underutilised and much like many plot developments within the film, wholly unneeded. Moments within the film showcasing Mark Leonard Winter's (who perhaps steals the movie in an acting sense) Shane attending his brother's funeral or Weaving's Matt dealing with the death of his young daughter all feel like side parts that play no real meaningful stepping stone in an unfocused story.Monahan has made one of Australia's greatest ever dramas in the form of his 1998 Hugo Weaving starring The Interview and in the time following has only made the disappointing Peaches and now this equally mediocre Healing, which is a shame considering his obvious talent. Healing is a hard film to hate thanks to its commendable intentions yet a hard film to love thanks to its mismanaged final product. Better than most Australian films of recent times, yet sadly that's not much of an achievement. Disappointingly forgettable, Healing never soars to the heights it so easily could've reached with the talent on hand.2 Eagle helmets out of 5 For more movie reviews and opinions check into - www.jordanandeddie.wordpress.com

We keep hearing that the Australian film industry is in the doldrums.... Well, "Healing" will restore your faith in its health. Excellent cinematography, good music, a good script and some really fine performances, particularly from the three male leads, Hugo Weaving, Don Hany and Xavier Samuel. But every performance in this film is good, and Jane Menelaus is so convincing as the Sanctuary's Raptor Expert that one could believe that is her day job. And Yasmine the wedge-tailed eagle, plus some very cute owls, nearly steal the show. Another star of the show is atmospheric shots of the beautiful scenery.The movie takes a leisurely pace, but this is absolutely fitting to parallel the slow rate of healing for all of these damaged animal and human characters. It also reflects the slow routine of the prisoners' lives.Some critics have called this film too predictable in its outcome, but if things come out well for the characters we care about, what's wrong with that? It's nice to have that happen occasionally!Definitely the highlight Australian film of the year for me!

This movie's poor performance at the box office, despite publicity, reveals more about the overall quality of Australian cinema audiences than it does about the country's film industry. Fine acting and cinematography back up a screenplay and score of rare quality, marrying human and environmental rehabilitation so effectively that the overall effect is extremely moving without mawkish corn. Paradoxically, this movie might do better in the US than here if properly promoted, considering Australian audiences' apparent liking for American sentimental crap. Hugo Weaving and Don Hany deliver in spades, Hany especially surpassing any previous outings of his... all quite competent if not memorable. The supporting cast doesn't let them down.