Admittedly I didn’t know who Hugo Weaving was before The Matrix but thanks to one film he was one of those actors I couldn’t get enough of. It may have something to do with his stately voice and the way he could read the bible and I’d listen to every single word. It’s mesmerizing and perhaps one of the few reasons V for Vendetta has such high re-watch value for me (especially at providing soundtrack for day to day work).
The man has been busy over the last few years providing his voice talent to all sorts of projects (from Happy Feet to Transformers) but he’s also been appearing in a variety of films including a good number of Australian productions one of which is the upcoming Last Ride.
Directed by Glendyn Ivin, the film stars Weaving as a man who, after committing a violent crime, takes his son and escapes into the Australian desert. It sounds like the film may have a few similarities to John Hillcoat’s hopefully upcoming adaptation of The Road in that it too involves a man and his son coming closer together on the road but that may not be where the similarities end. From the look of the trailers, this may not be the post-apocalypse but it the desert certainly feels lonely, difficult and looming as if it’s a character ready to pounce and consume father and son.
The gorgeous trailer, which was dug up by our good friends at Quiet Earth, suggest a great little film that will open in Australia in June. Here’s hoping it does well enough for an international release!
Trailer is tucked under the seat!
Weaving is one of my favorites actors, and IMHO was the reason for the success of Matrix. I’m waiting for this movie.
One word:
That was friggin awesome. I too got a “The Road” vibe. A little bit of Silent Light and Gerry and Proposition as well. Never heard of this before but it just moved way up on my “can’t wait to see” list.
Last Ride is based on a 2002 novel, and the producers have been trying to get it financed and filmed for 8 years, so the similarities to Cormac McCarthy’s The Road are entirely coincidental. Unlike that tale, Last Ride is set in the present, and there’s no post-apocalyptic aspect. It’s a much more stripped-down, two-character drama about individual choice. As a long-time Hugo Weaving fan, I’m always hoping films like Last Ride will get the attention they deserve, as they’re far more important to the actor than minor voice gigs like Transformers.
Thanks for the info Else – I didn’t realize it was based on the book. I too love Hugo and am always thrilled to see him doing more than just voicework. Loved “Little Fish” and look forward to seeing this one too!
All you Aussies make sure to go see this film so it gets distributed to the U.S. I don’t really want to fly there to see it, but I love Hugo’s work and would love another chance to see him. He has a most expressive face, and can convey volumes with a look. G’speed.