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44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Coming of age story well worth a look .., September 24, 2000
Ann Turner's "Hammers Over The Anvil" is a delightful coming of age story set in small town Australia and depicts Australian country life during the early 20th Century (1910). We watch as a young boy grows into a young man while sharing his unique perspective on life and those around him. The young man, who is crippled and uses braces and crutches to get around, shares his thoughts via narration and his life as we are guided through his world as his experiences it. By the end of the story, we gain knowledge of the inner boy, his friendships, family connections, loves, losses, and amazing ability to see past the socially acceptable conclusions toward the true meaning of many human behaviors. The wonderful cast brings a rich fullness to each and every scene. The cast members speak with heavy Australian accents which will necessitate careful listening on most non-Australian viewers parts. Many viewers will rent/buy this film to see a wonderful early performance by a then up and coming Australian actor, Russell Crowe. Mr Crowe does not disappoint his fans and delivers a quality performance as he depicts one of the film's most likable characters. To the viewer's delight, the film's entire cast delivers performances that meet and, at times, out shine the high level performance of Mr Crowe. "Hammers Over The Anvil" presents material which is at times adult in nature, but does so in a respectful and tasteful manner. The scenes which project this material are necessary to successfully depict the plot and its full meaning to the movie's viewers. I enjoyed this movie and know many of you will too.
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37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent film...., March 10, 2001
Russell Crowe has to be one of the best actors around. He is versatile, believeable, and the "Everyman" most of us can identify with on some level. Of course the fact that he's got a great body and reminds me of a boy I was crazy about in high school has nothing to do with my judgement of his acting abilities. Seriously, the actors and the director of this film should be commended. In my book, HAMMERS OVER THE ANVIL ranks right up there with ANGEL AT MY TABLE (Kerry Fox) and MY BRILLIANT CAREER (Judy Davis). All these films are set in Austrailia and New Zealand, directed by women, and about a young person's coming of age. All three of the young protagonists grow up to become writers and the stories are autobiographical. If you appreciated the cinematograpy in Campion's ANGEL AT MY TABLE and you love the Australian countryside you will marvel at scenes shot in the dewy mists of morning, the blazing noon day sun and by moonlight. The DVD is very clear and the frames are well articulated. The Australian Film Board sponsored the film so it's a work of art. HAMMERS OVER THE ANVIL is set in 1910--before WWI. As I watched the film I felt I was observing a lost way of life. Even 50 years ago in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the U.S. agricultural communities still existed and blacksmiths were relatively common (hammers and anvils). HAMMERS a slice of life, and more. A dramatic series of events unfolds. I won't reveal the ending, but say it did not end the way I thought it would. This film was directed by a woman and contains a strong female lead. Most women I know will appreciate the story. Charlotte Rampling is wonderful and I could totally identify with her in this role (whereas I could not when she played Ms. Haversham in GREAT EXPECTATIONS). She is an excellent actress and her relationship with East (Crowe) was entirely believeable. It may be HAMMERS OVER THE ANVIL is the story of a boy's coming of age, but the women and girls in this film create a real presence. A keeper.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Movie Worth Seeing Again and Again!, July 10, 2002
I was pleasantly surprised recently to discover a gem in the foreign movie circuit I had previously never even heard of before. Hammers over the Anvil is a beautifully told story of awakening adolescence, love, regret and hope. Told through the narration of an adolescent and handicapped boy, the story is really about an ensemble of characters in an Australian town and their relationships with one another. Due mostly to the talented cast of actors in this film as well as the superb writing and direction, Hammers over the Anvil does something few two hour movies achieve - and that is compassion for all of the characters no matter how deceptively small a part each character plays. Russell Crowe proves once again that he was a very fine actor way before fame came his way and an equally talented cast of actors only adds to his performance. This is really the only film I've seen Crowe in where his leading lady brings in as strong a performance as he does. The result is truly one of those great movie romances that makes you wish for more. The scenery is breathtaking, the performances magnificent, the story beautifully written...this is one that I would buy for my personal collection to see again and again!
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