The Echo of Thunder

A father living in the Australian wilds takes in teen-age daughter from previous relationship whose mother passed from cancer. Familiar plot but it is done well here. The irony and conflict is relatable, owing to a strong and perfectly casted team. Judy Davis is a reliable Australian actress whose work has been realistic. As is the father husband Jamie Sheridan who portraits rugged farm owner with a good heart and sense of right. Davis is his wife who reluctantly goes along with her husband's plan but has her own dfficulties. We see her toils away at tree farming, clearing brushes a lot. The movie paints a realistic picture of the hard farm life. Lauren Hewitt is the griefing daughter who suddenly has to learn to deal with her situation. A subplot helps propel the main story. And there are nice scenes in moments when Lara seeks solace, goes into the woods and a strayed dog comes to her, becomes her companion; in particular a fantastic shot of Lara looking over a bluff against white clouded sky as her background is quite memorable. Disagree with another reviewer who found this device prosaic. There is a tendency for critics to unfairly bash a chosen formula just because they have seen it in other films. Steak Bearnaise is a classic dish. You eat it once at one restaurant, and from here on no other restaurant should make this dish ? Finally, this being a Hallmark production should not lower your expectation. Anything missing - a good, dramatic score would have punctuated the drama much more; maybe even makes it oscar worthy.