The film centers on a man searching for his sons, lost somewhere during the aftermath of World War I. The narrative unfolds after the war’s conclusion, following this father as he journeys to Gallipoli, Turkey, seeking those who disappeared in battle. What follows is an assortment of drama, wartime scenes, romantic elements, and recollections, culminating in a resolution that determines whether his quest succeeds. To be honest, I found myself somewhat let down. While the story presents itself as if it were based on true events, it isn’t; however, the subject matter itself was quite moving and inspiring. The problem lies in the direction, which didn't feel entirely effective, compounded by some editing issues. It marked Russell Crowe’s directorial debut, and he also takes on the lead role. There seemed to be inaccuracies with historical details, particularly the portrayal of Greeks, which felt unnecessarily negative. Visually, the film doesn't quite capture the period it aims to represent—the early 1920s—instead giving off a vibe more akin to the late 40s or early 50s. Given the post-war setting, many characters seemed burdened by feelings of guilt. While not entirely predictable, certain moments felt familiar. The acting was one of the few aspects that helped elevate the movie, along with portions of the music and screenplay. A film adapted from a book, especially one dealing with weighty themes like anti-war sentiment, really needed to be handled by an experienced director rather than someone just starting out. It’s worth seeing once, but don't anticipate anything extraordinary; you might feel disappointed. Regardless, it was Australia’s highest-grossing film in the country last year. 6.5/10

Source on TMDB