Last Ride 2009

Manohla Dargis, New York Times: Mr. Ivin doesn't have a strong narrative line to play with or become distracted by, but he takes off on some lovely detours, whether he's narrowing in on Chook or going wide to take in the world that waits beyond. Read more

Alison Willmore, AV Club: A sad, standout showcase for Weaving's talents as a man whose good intentions can't fix the fact that irreparable mistakes have already been made. Read more

Mark Jenkins, NPR: Weaving, best known for The Matrix and the Lord of the Rings trilogies, brings subtlety and poignance to the hoodlum's mercurial character. Read more

Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: Ivin's film, based on a novel, becomes too melodramatic and bleakly obvious. Weaving, though, as always, is never less than magnetic. Read more

Farran Smith Nehme, New York Post: Both Weaving and the movie itself do manage to show that this violent, hopelessly damaged man yearns to be a father, but will never know how. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: As Kev, the veteran actor Weaving gives the performance of lifetime. Read more

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune: The title more or less gives away the film's design, but the predestined journey is taut and tragic nevertheless. Read more

Stanley Kauffmann, The New Republic: The Australian outback, the setting for most of Last Ride, an extraordinary film for which the locale is a quiet, almost secret catalyst. Read more

Russell Edwards, Variety: First-time director Ivin makes a smooth transition to the broader canvas of features. Read more

Nick Schager, Village Voice: Ivin conveys both facts and emotions with efficient brushstrokes (a spied glance, an offhand comment) that are matched by an understated, evocative lyricism. Read more