Spider & Rose

Absolutely brilliant comedy-drama about the most unlikely of friends - a fragile old lady and a young rebel. Ruth Cracknell and Simon Bossell are fantastic in their roles. This is a wonderful, feel-good road trip adventure that embodies so many emotions we can all relate to. 'Spider & Rose' is one of my all-time favorite films!

I love this movie. I must have seen it three times already and tonight when I watched it again, it impressed me all over again. Yes, I agree with what has been said before about Ruth Cracknell, she was unmatched, and I have not seen a lot of her work. But the thing about Australian films that always draws me in is the crispness and sparkle that is missing in other countries' offerings. I don't know what it is - maybe the diminished ozone layer? Anyway to me, this is a joy, a feast of one liners, a corny story with an unusual ending - I thought it would end differently - some great panoramic filming and great characters. What more is there? OK, it's not Shakespeare, Pinter or Mike Leigh, but it is entertainment and for me, it's timeless.

I think being an Australian would be a lot harder if it weren't for people like Ruth Cracknell. & it is interesting how much of her iconic work dealt with people who aren't spoken of much in polite society - the old. (see *Mother and Son*) This movie is another charming example, & it makes me crack up each time I see it. Sure, the 'street lingo' is out of date and the references to other bits of nineties culture won't stick to people who weren't there, but that is no reason for it to be kept out of the way like so many other Australian films. Because it IS very funny, and strange enough for some, the young still relate to the old these days.

A very warm and lovely film set in the beautiful countryside of New South Wales, Australia. Sometimes a film has such a simple message to convey that it doesn't need a multi-million dollar budget to get it across. This is the attraction of Spider And Rose - the Australians have such a knack at making films that are honest and ordinary but the result is spectacular in its simplicity. Two people from different worlds come together and touch each others lives - the message is clear, the result uplifting and you'll be glad you invested the time to watch. Maybe there's a bit of Rose in all of us - for me, I hope I find out before it's too late! PS - if this film doesn't give you the desire to hit the road one day - watch it again!