Lantana

I'll start with the name. Lantana is an aggressive weed shrub that grows in Australia and its prickly vines smother any other bushes around it. It looks beautiful from the outside (as shown in the opening shots of the movie) but is noxious under its dense cover. What a fitting metaphor for almost every character in the movie, people who seem deceptively normal on the surface but have troubling nuances behind their everyday facades.Veering around the emotional crossroads of a mid-age cop (Anthonly Lapaglia) and his confusions over a minor infidelity with a woman in his Salsa class, the movie covers the intertwined lives of a few couples. Amidst this very realistic chronicle of relationships in our modern condition, a woman is murdered (or is she?). We are led into the mystery as subtly as we are led out of it.This richly layered narrative feels of a texture akin to "The Insider" and is carried almost entirely by the super smooth direction. Supported almost perfectly by Kelley's haunting soundtrack (e.g., the guitar chords on "Whats happening to us" or the stirring "Te Busco" by Celia Cruz).If you don't mind a mildly fairy-tale denouement where several circles fit snugly into several squares, this is a wholesome treat you should definitely try to watch if you can.

Lantana unravels on screen much as a great novel unfolds on the page. Short scenes tied together by superior acting, tremendous writing and the perfect score make for an edge-of-your-seat, adult thriller that confounds and amazes.This movie takes nothing for granted. There are no wasted characters, scenes, lines or afterthoughts. It is precise, economical and complimentary to those who enjoy not having their intelligence insulted by their movies.Lantana introduces us to a finite universe where each character is either directly or indirectly related to each other, to tragedy, heartache and hope renewed. It is a shared secret amongst a community of shrouded truths.I encourage you to not only watch this movie; but to study it as well. It is what all movies should be - masterful storytelling. I've given away nothing of the plot to ruin the experience for you. However, if you chose to devote two hours of your life, do so expecting amazement. But be sure to keep your five senses alert. This movie leaves no part of you untouched.

An independent little gem of a movie. This sad sad story is so brilliantly acted and compellingly written that it never drags even with it's slow style of telling and development. You can't look away as the tragedy develops. But even though tragic in the end there is some partial redemption for some of the characters.

A sad story about sad people. Not much action. Not much tension.

I have watched this movie so many times and every time I see facts and details I missed before. It is about us human beings, our souls, the way we have to deal with every day life and the fact that we are just put on this earth and try and make the best of it, in that same life, in love and our relations.The story is unbelievable in the way the people and their stories are intertwined but it all makes sense in theend. Bravo for this movie, the actors and the script; I find it an extraordinary film aboutthe psychology of us, of me and the way we see and interpret what we see as reality - if there is one.

Love this movie. Wonderful cast and great story.I found myself watching it every month or so, so I thought I’d better just buy it rather than rent it.I always end up pondering the characters and their relationships for several days after viewing and this is not a normal reaction for me. I usually watch a movie and forget it the next day. Not this one.

This movie was made in Australia. One of the extras it was produced by Jan Campion (who also did “ The Piano “) and others. It has a terrific cast. I think it makes us take a look at our own beliefs and prejudices. It does have some sexual content but definitely needed for the story telling. This is a must see!!

I love this film. Its one of those where characters paths cross each other without them knowing. Also a good mystery. Excellent cast. I think of it as a well kept secret as I don't know anyone else who has seen the film. I do plan to share with friends.

This is one of the best films I've seen in a long time and it's hard to pinpoint exactly why! It's superbly produced, with seamless editing, brilliantly paced, excellent acting with subtle but powerful weaving story lines. Part crime thriller, part love story but it's the exploration of love and adult relationships that grips you. I was hooked right from the opening shot and music, the soundtrack is also great, with a little Salsa too for Salsa lovers. Anthony LaPaglia is just brilliant throughout, as are the rest of the cast, the women especially are strongly yet sensitively played. It's full of surprises and the pace never lets up. Far superior to Jindabyne, the director Ray Lawrence's other film, which brought me to Lantana. It was so good I didn't want it to end and kept wishing it was a TV series with a number of feature-length episodes it is that good! I can't recommend it enough.

Todo ha estado muy bien.

"Lantana" est mon film fétiche. Et le DVD est excellent, car en plus du film, il y a le making of de près d'une heure hyper intéressant qui nous raconte la genèse du film, avec des interviews des acteurs, producteurs, du compositeur du film, ainsi que des images du tournage, la création musicale du film, etc... Et cette édition à la jaquette qui est l'affiche originale du film.Arrivé en 24 heures, merci.

Un quasi thriller psicologico, che intreccia le storie di alcune persone, ma scava solo superficialmente nella personalità dei protagonisti. Una coppia distrutta dalla perdita di una figlia in tenera età. Un'altra coppia sterilizzata dalla monotonia del lorotran tran quoitidiano tutto casa, lavoro e famiglia, con l'unica eccezione della scuola di ballo, nella quale il marito, poliziottoinibito, non trova di meglio che farsi l'amante.Un altra coppia già sfasciata, dove lei è alla ricerca di un uomo che la eccitisessualmente, cosa che non riesce più al marito.Un ultima coppia, apparentemente la più fragile, dove lei si ammazza dilavoro, perchè il marito è disoccupato ed è ridotto a fare il baby sitter, che invece si rivela la più forte di tutte, legata da fortisentimenti affettivi e una granitica fiducia reciproca. Il tutto ruota intorno alla sparizione di una psicologa, che direttamenteo indirettamente viene in contatto con i protagonisti del film. Ottime intenzioni, ma scarsi risultati.

This is a magnificent film with excellent direction, script and superb acting. It has so many levels, emotions, a mystery and so much more. Only one quibble, I found the background music too loud and intrusive. When I started to watch the Extras as I had enjoyed the film so much, I could hardly hear the actors, the music was even louder. Shame