Lantana
Lantana

Lantana

2001Movie121 minEnglish

Plagued with grief over the murder of her daughter, Valerie Somers suspects that her husband John is cheating on her. When Valerie disappears, Detective Leon Zat attempts to solve the mystery of her absence. A complex web of love, sex and deceit emerges -- drawing in four related couples whose various partners are distrustful and suspicious about each other's involvement.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes89%
Metacritic74/100
Google Users84%
Director: Ray LawrenceGenres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A Melbourne detective investigates a woman's disappearance, uncovering a complex web of tangled relationships and secrets among his friends and colleagues. As the investigation deepens, the lines between personal lives and professional duties blur, revealing the hidden anxieties and desires that lie beneath the surface of ordinary lives. The search for the missing woman becomes a catalyst for confronting buried truths and the consequences of infidelity and deception.

Critical Reception

Lantana was met with critical acclaim, praised for its sophisticated storytelling, strong performances, and atmospheric direction. Critics lauded its exploration of complex human relationships and its ability to weave suspense with poignant drama. The film resonated with audiences for its realistic portrayal of marital strife, infidelity, and the search for connection.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its compelling ensemble cast and nuanced exploration of relationships.
  • Lauded for its intelligent script and atmospheric, character-driven narrative.
  • Appreciated for its sensitive handling of themes like infidelity, trust, and emotional turmoil.

Google audience: Viewers found Lantana to be a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant film, appreciating its realistic portrayal of complex relationships and the consequences of secrets. Many highlighted the strong performances and the film's ability to draw them into the characters' lives and dilemmas.

Awards & Accolades

Won multiple awards at the Australian Film Institute Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. It also received nominations at various international film festivals.

Fun Fact

The film's title, Lantana, refers to a common, hardy flowering shrub, symbolizing the tangled and sometimes invasive nature of the relationships and secrets depicted in the story.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Wuchak

Wuchak

***Exceptional drama about a detective in Sydney… and so much more*** "Lantana" is an Australian drama from 2001 about four couples in the Sydney area (where the film was shot). There are some important peripheral characters as well. The...