Based in the bestselling story from much-loved WA author Craig Silvey and shot in WA, with a local cast, loyalty alone dictates you should see this movie Runt. But forget about all that, you should go see the movie because it’s a heartwarming, Australian family hoot, the movie we need right now.
When ten-year-old Annie Shearer (Lily LeTorre) finds a stray dog in the park she has no idea how much he’s going to change her life and that of her family.
With no rain for months the family farm is in real trouble. Her father Bryan Shearer (Jai Courtney) is considering the unthinkable, selling the farm that’s been in the family for generations, to local Earl Robert-Barren (Jack Thompson).
But then Annie hears about a dog agility competition at the local show that’s offering a cash prize. What’s more the winner of that competition will go to Krumpets Dog Show in London where there’s a huge financial prize.
Turns out the little dog who she named Runt, is a natural. But there’s a problem. Runt won’t perform in front of people. If they can overcome that, then there’s past winner Fergus Fink (Matt Day) who doesn’t take to kindly to a new competitor.
Runt is a heartwarming Australian family movie landing somewhere between the over the top Strictly Ballroom and the laidback The Castle with a touch of Best In Show. The all-Australian ensemble cast also includes Joel Jackson, Celeste Barber, Deborah Mailman and Genevieve Lemon.
As the audience clapped and whistled at the end I pondered:
- Runt the movie is a brilliant adaptation of the award-winning book;
- Jai Courtney extends his range from bad boy roles, to Terminator, to TV presenter and now a believable cuddly Aussie dad;
- Matt Day is a treat as the over the top Fink;
- Huge congratulations to Craig Silvey, it couldn’t happen to a nicer, hardworking person;
- So nice to see York and Fremantle on screen;
- Bottomline, it’s the movie we need right now.
For more information go to Event Cinema
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