The Water Diviner

A film made by an Australian generally for Australians, The Water Diviner marks a promising directorial debut for Russell Crowe in telling a heartfelt if heavy-handed story of courage and paternal love amid the aftermath of war.

Many Americans might not be familiar with Gallipoli — outside of the early Mel Gibson movie of the same name — the site of a bloody battle between Australian and Turkish forces in 1915 over control of the Ottoman Empire capital during the onset of World War I. The timing of Crowe’s film coincides with the 100th commemoration of Anzac Day, an Australian holiday that salutes the military heroism of the time.

That historical significance provides a backdrop for a more intimate story of guilt and redemption. Crowe stars as Connor, a farmer and grieving widower who becomes determined to find his three sons who fought at Gallipoli and haven’t been seen since, so they’re presumed dead.

Upon arriving in Istanbul, Connor isn’t given much help from government officials on either side, but finds some unlikely allies on the front lines when he shows up to start digging around for buried corpses. He also befriends an alluring hotelier (Olga Kurylenko) and her young son, who provide lodging and support, reluctantly at first to a perceived enemy.

Crowe demonstrates some visual flair in this period piece that has its share of ambitious action sequences, from dust storms to gun battles. Then again, a partnership with cinematographer Andrew Lesnie (The Lord of the Rings) is a smart move for any rookie.

In front of the camera, Crowe’s understated performance finds a balance of strength and sympathy, as Connor perseveres in the face of tall odds and bureaucratic red tape seeking catharsis and closure.

The screenplay becomes more tightly focused after an uneven beginning, yet it sometimes feels torn among an abundance of subplots in an effort to emphasize the callous nature of war and to promote cultural understanding.

There are some details in the true-life source material that have been embellished here, but The Water Diviner manages some genuine emotional resonance despite its melodramatic tendencies and more conventional elements. Its journey of healing and self-discovery can be felt a century and a continent away.

Rated R, 111 minutes.