Watch Parklands

Parklands is a poignant drama set in Melbourne, Australia, in the aftermath of the devastating bombing of an airline flight. The movie follows the lives of those who have been affected by the tragedy, including the families of the victims and the survivors of the blast. At the heart of the story is Dr. David Cornwallis, a forensic pathologist who is tasked with identifying the bodies of the victims. Played with sensitivity by Tony Martin, David is portrayed as a man who is struggling to come to terms with the enormity of the task before him. His job is made all the more difficult by the fact that many of the bodies are badly burnt and unrecognizable, leaving him with the difficult task of using dental records and DNA samples to identify them.

Cate Blanchett plays Claire, a nurse who is recovering from her own injuries sustained in the bombing. Her story is one of physical and emotional healing, as she struggles to come to terms with the loss of her colleagues and friends. Carmel Johnson plays Julie, a mother who has lost her daughter in the bombing. Julie's grief is palpable, and her interactions with David are some of the most emotionally charged moments in the movie.

The film is beautifully shot, with many scenes set against the backdrop of the beautiful parks and gardens of Melbourne. There is a sense of stillness and calm in these scenes, which serves as a stark contrast to the chaos and devastation of the bombing.

One of the most striking elements of the movie is the way in which it portrays the different reactions of the characters to the tragedy. Some, like Julie, are consumed by grief and find it difficult to move on. Others, like Claire, are determined to find a way to heal and rebuild their lives. There is no right or wrong way to react to such a terrible event, and the film does an excellent job of conveying this.

The acting in Parklands is top-notch, particularly from Blanchett, Martin, and Johnson. All three actors give nuanced and heartfelt performances, bringing their characters to life in a way that feels both authentic and relatable.

Ultimately, Parklands is a moving drama that explores the aftermath of tragedy in a sensitive and honest way. It is not an easy film to watch - there are some harrowing scenes that are sure to stay with the viewer long after the credits have rolled. However, it is also a film that offers hope and a sense of resilience in the face of terrible adversity. Highly recommended for fans of character-driven dramas.