Stories from Life • Brian McFarlane
The Travellers and Kangaroo Reviewed
Brian McFarlane Cinema, 5 November 2025
Two recent Australian films, Kangaroo and The Travellers, have quietly demanded attention with their unpretentious, sensitive storytelling. Both films blend comedy and poignancy with subtle writing and direction, a contrast to more iconic Australian films like The Man from Snowy River or Mad Max.
Kangaroo
Director Kate Woods, known mostly for her TV work and the 2000 feature Looking for Alibrandi, delivers a charming semi-biographical film. Kangaroo explores a man's life and his evolving concerns. It is not a traditional biopic but is, as the opening title states, "inspired by a true story."
The film opens with two episodes introducing the main characters. Before the title appears, a young Indigenous girl named Charlie (played by Lily Whiteley) runs across a panoramic outback landscape, accompanied by bounding kangaroos.
The Travellers
The film features warmth and subtlety, with performances by Luke Bracey, Brian Brown, and Susie Porter. It offers an understated narrative style paired with emotional depth, marking it as a quietly remarkable piece in contemporary Australian cinema.
"Inspired by a true story."
Author’s summary: Both Kangaroo and The Travellers showcase a fresh, understated approach to Australian storytelling, blending subtle emotion with authentic characters and settings.
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