mpillon-483-826710 It's basically a re-used plot, featuring more detestable characters lacking any serious depth or development. They perpetrate some very negative stereotypes of cultures in Australia, and glorify violence and bad hairstyles. If Harry tells you otherwise, don't believe him. He is not a level-headed movie critic, and frankly represents the negative attributes displayed by the main protagonist.The dichotomy of cultures portrayed in the movie is a farcical hyperbole of abuse and violence under the false veil of honour and 'street justice', when in reality it is all about greed and insecurity. The only redeeming element in the film is the accurate portrayal of the fashion sense adopted by the criminal counter-cultures, namely the terrible haircuts and sportswear.

Lmader45 When Australia makes any dramas set in the burbs they generally always have the feel of being written by someone with not only a separation from suburban life but utter contempt for it as well. The characters are flagrant stereotypes, the dialogue has the feel it was written by a 5 year old trying to sound tough and the stories always generally deal with the idea that growing up in the burbs gives you 2 opportunities. Mundane blue collar jobs or pursuing criminal enterprise.While the combination does include the final element in it's story, it does not offer it as the only choice for the burbs either. And it skillfully shows that each person has a choice and must take responsibility for their actions.Well written, starring an amazing cast and finally giving a sense of realism to suburban life in Australia, The Combination is a great film.Being a Sydney 'westie' I can't get over the aspect of dialogue in this film. Finding an Australian film that does not come across as a parody in the way characters interact with each other is nearly impossible. Even within a great film like Two Hands if you watch the movie again note the absence of free flowing dialogue that feels real. This film has it down pat. The characters seem undeniably real. George Basha has done a great job. Let's hope he is not a one trick pony and can use his skills for further great Australian films in the future.

movie_bloke The name says it all. A lesson in life & also the ups & downs of being in a hate group. I mean this movie is a good example of showing that nothing good comes from being racist & thinking your better than everyone else. I personally thought that the acting was excellent & its a true blue Aussie made movie. Racism & hatred will never stop because lets face it cause we're not living in a cartoon. Some people might say that this movie influences Lebanese gangs & makes them proud, but i believe that there's always the other side to a story & this being that treat everyone equally. My rating for this is 8.5 / 10. Should win some awards.

kevin-rennie After all the conflict at the opening sessions in Sydney, only one other person was in the St Kilda cinema at lunchtime on Saturday to see The Combination. A pity, because this is an Aussie film with attitude. It's a good story, competently told. Actor and now director, David Field's first effort is tight and straightforward.George Basha wrote and stars in this Lebanese/Australian tale of star-crossed lovers. It's more like West Side Story than Romeo and Juliet, a clash of cultures in the modern city. George, as the street toughened John Morkos, does tough guy very well but his delivery of love scene dialogue is a bit flat. Firass Dirani as brother Charlie is a rising star. He handles a difficult part without slipping into melodrama. Doris Younane's performance as their widowed mother Mary is a very professional one.Testosterone rules: school "gangs"; youth, drugs and crime; the boxing gym; knives and even guns. The background noise includes the 2005 riots in the Sydney beach suburb of Cronulla between Lebanese and so-called "old" Australian youths.Don't expect a clash of religions as well. Ironically the only openly Christian group are the Lebanese. The stereotypes just won't fit. The messages of this film are not subtle. John's girlfriend Sydney (Clare Bowen) gets the standard assimilation lecture from her father.We don't learn much about the inner lives of the characters. We are left to wonder why school student Zeus (Ali Haidar) has the heart of a murderer. Their seemingly irrational behaviour is easy to understand using the usual social stereotypes. Until John confronts his mother when she blames him for Charlie's criminality. John asserts personal responsibility, his own and Charlie's. He challenges the web of multi-cultural and economic determinism that has been set up so far in the film. We all live with choices we make.Tony Ryan plays Wesley, the owner of the gym where John works and trains. His aboriginality gives an added racial dimension. There is further irony when he offers John a way up through boxing.First-timer Clare Bowen, fresh from the south coast of New South Wales, gets the rookie award. She has that relaxing Toni Collette quality that makes you think you know her from somewhere. You can't help feeling at home with her character. However, apart from her family, we are left without any history for Sydney or real explanation for why she can withstand all the pressure to walk away. Perhaps this is essentially just a love story after all. And a story about families.This is another Australian film that deserves a bigger audience. Catch it while you can.Film review for "Cinema Takes" http://cinematakes.blogspot.com/