Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

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

Joe Warr (Clive Owen) is a sportswriter who suffers his wife's death. All of a sudden, he's left with two boys to raise. Instead of dealing with his grief and anger, he takes off with the boys on a reckless trip with the philosophy of "just say yes".This is a hard film to watch mainly because Joe is unable or unwilling to deal with his wife's death. The sons don't improve the situation. The younger son is too bratty, and the older son is too pathetically weak. It is truly frustrating to watch this dysfunctional family. It does improve as they conflict with each other, and they start dealing with their issues. But unless you like emotional punishment, this film isn't for you.

I remember when this came out it attracted some good reviews so I decided I'd see what all the fuss was about when it turned up on TV recently. It is set, for the most part, in Australia and is based on a true story. Now, how much was invented for the film is up for debate, but still, it is quite an engaging tale. More of my thoughts later, but here's a short summary first (summary haters please have an impromptu ride on the front of a 4x4 down the beach while I write the next paragraph).Sports writer Joe Warr has never spent much time at home, so when his wife, Katy, dies suddenly he struggles to come to terms with bringing up his seven year old son Artie. Joe is very much a free spirit and allows Artie to do pretty much what he likes, within certain rules, of course. And when Joe's son from a previous marriage, Harry, comes to stay from England, things don't seem to get much easier. Harry has problems of his own. Joe had divorced his mother when he was only six and left to be with Artie's mother, who was pregnant. Although he has support from Katy's parents, Joe still wants to bring the boys up on his own. He gets some help from a single mother at Artie's school, Laura, but it gets a bit tense between them. Joe is called away with work and Harry is left to look after Artie. Things don't quite go according to plan and after an incident at the house Harry heads back to England. Unknown to Joe, the boys had formed a strong bond while he was away. Is this bond strong enough to bring the boys back together? I'll end my summary here; don't want to give too much away.Although it has a very slow pace I found this film quite enjoyable to watch. All the characters are quite engaging, although I get the feeling a lot of Artie's part was ad-libbed. Pretty good performances all round, so honourable mentions go to; Clive Owen as Joe Warr, Emma Booth as Laura, Laura Fraser as Katy, George MacKay as Harry and Nicholas McAnulty as Artie.Over all, it's a pretty well made film with lots of shots of the Australian outback to give a real sense of location. I still have to see a film where Clive Owen doesn't get beaten up at some point. If I was him I'd be having a word with my agent! But I digress; it's quite an engaging tale which very slowly evolves, so you'll need a little patience to watch this one, but still recommended.My score: 6.4/10

I guess anyone can try to get their life story out there nowadays, no matter how boring. The only reason I sat through this dull film was to see if something, anything, would happen before it ended. That something happened in the first 5 minutes: Clive Owen's wife of 6 years dies - suddenly, I might add - of cancer. He is left a sullen shell of a man, unable to keep his house clean and look after his young son. True stories usually have something inspirational or redemptive about them. At least they should or it is not a story worth telling. No such luck here. He tries to reconcile with the older son from a first marriage, who lives with his ex-wife half a world away. I could go and tell you how he ambles through each day, but it would be just as boring as it sounds. This film really had nothing to say, and it is easily the worst movie I have seen in years.I don't have a grudge against this type of movie. I actually am a sucker for a weepie done right. The best examples would be MEN DON'T LEAVE (with Jessica Lange) and of course TERMS OF ENDEARMENT. I am among the few people who have actually seen MEN DON'T LEAVE, and it is a masterpiece. A terrific example of tempering your weepie with humor and interesting characters. I'd sit through it a dozen times.

This movie was disappointing. All of the emotions and values seemed rather predictable. The situations the people got into were not realistic. For example the mother in law refused to look after the children when the main character (Owen) had a business trip to make. Just wouldn't happen the way it was portrayed. A bunch of teenagers arrived for a party and wrecked the house, but although there was a teenage son, he was of a different age group than these people who came from nowhere. This was fabricated to create a situation of tension while the main character (Owen) was away on his business trip. Totally unbelievable. The girlfriend refused him when he asked her to look after the kids for a few days. Wouldn't happen. The son couldn't look after his younger brother yet could get himself from Australia to England alone. This was an attempt to make a weepie with a very unbelievable story. Acting was good, story and script not so.