Stories from Life • Brian McFarlane
The Travellers and Kangaroo Reviewed
Brian McFarlane Cinema – 5 November 2025
In recent weeks, two new Australian films have quietly demanded attention: Kangaroo (the third film with this title in Australian cinema history) and The Travellers. Both films are unpretentious, sensitive, and subtly crafted with elements of comedy and poignancy, presented in a manner rarely seen or recognized in Australian film, far from the style of The Man from Snowy River or Mad Max.
Kangaroo: A Semi-Biographical Tale
Directed by Kate Woods, known mostly for her television work apart from her 2000 feature Looking for Alibrandi, Kangaroo offers a charming exploration of a man's life and evolving concerns. The film is not a traditional biopic but is “inspired” by a true story, as noted in its opening title.
The film begins with two episodes introducing the main characters. Before the title appears, a young Indigenous girl named Charlie (played by Lily Whiteley) is shown running across a sweeping outback landscape, with kangaroos bounding alongside her.
The Travellers: Warmth and Subtlety
The Travellers features Luke Bracey, Brian Brown, and Susie Porter, and is distinguished by its gentle tone and nuanced storytelling. It presents themes of life and connection with a quiet sensitivity that resonates deeply, offering a contrast to harsher narratives often found in Australian cinema.
“Inspired by a true story.”
Author's summary: These two understated films, Kangaroo and The Travellers, showcase a rare blend of warmth and subtlety in Australian cinema, highlighting human stories with gentle humor and poignancy.