Stories from Life • Brian McFarlane
The Travellers and Kangaroo Reviewed
Brian McFarlane Cinema, 5 November 2025
In recent weeks, two new Australian films, Kangaroo and The Travellers, have caught attention with their unpretentious, sensitive storytelling. Both films blend subtle comedy and poignancy, marking a departure from the more familiar rugged tales like The Man from Snowy River or Mad Max.
Kangaroo: A Semi-Biographical Tale
Directed by Kate Woods, primarily known for her TV work and the 2000 feature Looking for Alibrandi, Kangaroo is a charming and understated film. It offers a semi-biographical look at a man’s life and changing preoccupations. The film opens with two episodes that introduce key characters. The first, preceding the title, shows Charlie (Lily Whiteley), a young Indigenous girl, running across the expansive outback alongside bounding kangaroos. The story is inspired by a true event but does not follow a conventional biopic format.
The Travellers
Featuring Luke Bracey, Brian Brown, and Susie Porter, The Travellers similarly explores themes of warmth and subtlety. Its sensitive direction and script create a quietly affecting narrative that stands out in contemporary Australian cinema.
"It was 'inspired' by a true story."
Both films reflect a quieter, more nuanced aspect of Australian life often overlooked in mainstream cinema.
Author’s summary: These two films reveal a fresh and gentle approach to Australian storytelling, focusing on nuance and emotional depth rather than spectacle.