Bran Nue Dae

2010 | 82 minutes | Rated PG-13

Adapted from a stage show, this Australian musical-comedy seems like a project for which everyone involved had ideas but no one had veto power. Set in 1965, it’s the coming-of-age story of an Aboriginal teen whose mother wants him to become a priest; following his own heart, he hits the road with his uncle and a couple of aspiring hippies, though the head of his religious mission follows in hot pursuit. As a drama this is rote, as a musical it’s uninspired, and as a comedy it’s adolescent; ultimately it’s a mess, unsure what it wants to be. Rachel Perkins directed. By Patrick Friel

Director: Rachel Perkins
Producer: Graeme Isaac, Robyn Kershaw, Christopher Mapp, Matthew Street and David Whealy
Cast: Rocky McKenzie, Jessica Mauboy, Ernie Dingo, Geoffrey Rush, Magda Szubanski, Deborah Mailman, Missy Higgins, Tom Budge, Dan Sultan and Ningali Lawford