Having worked with the likes of Ridley Scott, Ron Howard, Peter Weir, Michael Mann, and Darren Aronofsky, I would venture to say Russell Crowe may have picked up one or two directing secrets over the years. THE WATER DIVINER shows us what the Aussie actor may have learned from some of these cinematic legends. Immediately visible are traces of Ridley Scott’s wide scope as well as Ron Howard’s knack for schmaltz. In his directorial debut, Crowe feels assured in his presentation of a heartfelt historical drama, but this confidence can’t make up for a story that feels a little tired and a presentation that leans towards superfluous melodrama.
Australian farmer Joshua Connor (Russell Crowe) travels to Turkey four years after the Battle of Gallipoli to look for his three missing sons whom are presumed dead. World War I may have ended but other obstacles still stand in his way in his search for the truth, including a stern Lt. of the ANZAC forces (Jai Courtney) and a hotel clerk (Olga Kurylenko) who wants nothing to do with this foreigner snooping around her country. It should also be noted that Connor has special powers like the ability to find water in the middle of a desert (hence the title) and precognitive power through his dreams. One could argue he’s sort of like an Outback superhero, but I can promise you that his adventure fits more in the historical epic category like LAWRENCE OF ARABIA and THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI than the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
THE WATER DIVINER hits its stride when it focuses mainly on Connor’s journey to find his sons. His determination and will to overcome the obstacles in his way to find any information regarding his sons’ whereabouts makes for an occasionally riveting experience. There’s a forlorn sadness to Crowe’s demeanor, but what pushes him and the audience to keep going – even through some of the portions that don’t quite work as well – is his sense of hope. Along the way he meets a Lt. played by Jai Courtney and a Turkish Major played by Yilmaz Erdogan. Both actors excel in their roles, especially Courtney, who makes the most out of an understated character who dons a ridiculous mustache.
What adds a sense of intrigue to the proceedings are the locales. From the wide expanse of the Australian countryside to the colorful Turkish marketplaces, THE WATER DIVINER is consistently sumptuous. Each location perfectly adds depth to the scene and serves as more than just a background to the story. Cinematographer Andrew Lesnie (THE LORD OF THE RINGS and THE HOBBIT trilogies) captures this visual richness with great skill, often incorporating a “bird’s eye view” of the landscapes. Unfortunately it’s the inclusion of several slow-motion effects and stylized flashbacks effects that guides the visual language of the film out of poignancy and into cliché territory.
Russell Crowe is a little overzealous in his directorial debut as he attempts to tackle many themes and combine several stories into one film. THE WATER DIVINER has a half-baked romance featuring Olga Kurylenko that is more than just unnecessary; it downright just doesn’t work. Her story including an arranged marriage seems to be an attempt at making a statement about the Turkish culture. But just grazing the surface of a deep-seated tradition (or woman’s rights issue depending on your stance) makes this aspect of the story also feel half-baked. There is even a father and son relationship with Crowe and Olga’s precocious child that comes across as distracting. A number of characters arcs and stories feel cobbled together without adding any emotional weight to the proceedings. Even Crowe’s depiction of the violence on screen seems a little misguided. The tone of the film is often serious with small flourishes of light comedy, but he injects some startlingly graphic violence that is unwarranted. I understand the context and appreciate realistic approaches to war violence, but showing a long and intense close-up of a man’s face shot-off not once, but twice in flashback, feels redundant and unnecessary. And don’t even get me started on how long of a time he spends showing a soldier moan in agony on the battlefield. And again… he shows this not once, but twice.
At the heart of THE WATER DIVINER is a quest fueled by grief and love. When Crowe narrows his focus to tell this one man’s journey, the film actually strikes the watery sweet spot – the audience I saw this with let out some tears during a few emotional scenes. Crowe may stumble or get lost along the way, but that’s not to say that this journey is completely worth abandoning.
Overall rating: 3 out of 5
THE WATER DIVINER opens in the United States on April 24
