Water Diviner - fairy tale with lessons

I was not planning to see the film. I thought that I had seen enough of war films being brought up on Holocaust based films and literature. I understand that there have been tragedies that nations can not just forget even if many years have passed since the events. War stories have been regurgitated as, of course, there is a lot to process and hopefully learn from. I understand that Gallipoli has been such an event for Australia and I respect it. That does not mean that I wanted to lower my, in recent times, fragile mood. I was not in the market for a depressing story. In fact I was in a need of something uplifting.

I am very glad that a friend gave me a gentle push and I decided to give the film a go. It was mainly for the company of my friend, though, I decided to see the film after all. And here came a big, nice surprise. I really enjoyed the film. In comparison to the holocaust inspired films this was really a light weight event. Fun, sweet, romantic, beautiful scenery took over the deadly serious subjects of war. I loved a lot of this hardly believable story. I needed a fairy tale and I got it. When I think of how the hero of the film, Connor, found locations of his long lost sons, how he managed to get support for his mission from unlikely multinational sources, water divining mysteries, by contrast, seem to be most likely and scientific.  

The film is telling a war story and teaches about its atrocities, about forgiveness, about duality of truth but not always in a solemn way. Some of the “holly” subjects are even slandered and this does not hurt their holiness. Even the love story is highly improbable but so sweet and pleasant to watch that one forgives lack of psychological probability. I did anyhow.

"Everything is in the coffee" - she says as she helps the fate a bit but cheeting

What I find interesting is that Russell Crowe, the film star and the director is to me a quintessential “simple Aussie boy” even if born in New Zealand – a larrikin, tough, no nonsense person who seriously supports South Sydney Rabbitohs – a rugby league team. There is more sensitivity, romanticism and softness to the Aussie boys that I had understood. 

Conor and his cheeky, little  helper 

I reflected on Polish ways of making war inspired films. Sure, there have been comedies related to the war subjects but Water Diviner style is somewhat out of Polish possibilities to make a war film in a similar way. At least, I perceive it that way. I think I leave my national comparisons without further reflections. It could lead to a total confusion of my readers and me.

Bottom line – I recommend the film.