Movie Review: The Dry (2020)

Genre: Crime Drama  

Director: Robert Connolly  

Starring: Eric Bana, Genevieve O'Reilly  

Running Time: 117 minutes  

Synopsis: Melbourne-based federal agent Aaron Falk (Eric Bana) returns to his rural home town of Kiewarra to attend the funeral of his childhood friend Luke, who died along with his wife and son in an apparent murder-suicide. With the area suffering from extreme drought and all the farmers struggling financially, Luke's parents plead with Aaron to investigate the deaths. Flashbacks recall Aaron and Luke's carefree teenage years with friends Gretchen and Ellie, which end in a tragedy that drives Aaron away and under a dark cloud. In the present, he rekindles a relationship with Gretchen (Genevieve O'Reilly), and his sleuthing uncovers a web of possible motives surrounding the death of Luke and his family.

What Works Well: This Australian production adapts the Jane Harper novel into slow-burning but always engaging dual mysteries unfolding a generation apart. A sun-drenched environment starved for water creates a sweltering setting, director Robert Connolly and cinematographer Stefan Duscio capturing wide open but parched farmlands where the cracks in the soil hide secrets and resentments. Eric Bana is a stoic presence, holding back on engaging at the emotional level as he probes the locals, many of whom blame him for a community calamity from the past.

What Does Not Work As Well: Given all the investment in character, mood, and milieu, the third act revelations are rushed. Some weapon-and-ammunition details related to the family killings are bungled, suggesting a slipshod initial investigation. For all his circumspect care in questioning the locals, Aaron has an awkwardly contrived encounter with Gretchen seemingly designed to impose a boulder upon their path to romance.

Key Quote:

Gretchen (to Aaron): You of all people should be minding your own business.

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