Australian writer-director Robert Connolly had a domestic hit in 2021 with "The Dry," a slow-burn murder mystery featuring Eric Bana's somber performance as Aaron Falk, a city cop drawn back to his remote childhood town during a drought. Bana reprises his role as Falk in "Force of Nature: The Dry 2," a sequel in name only. The setting shifts to a lush, wet mountain rainforest, contradicting the "Dry" title.
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| Eric Bana in 'Force of Nature: The Dry 2' NARELLE PORTANIER/IFC FILMS |
The sequel, while handsomely produced and solidly acted, falls short of its predecessor's gripping storytelling. It remains absorbing but lacks the same intensity.
Connolly's adaptation of Jane Harper's template from the first Aaron Falk novel in "Force of Nature: The Dry 2" delves into the detective's investigation, which triggers memories of a friend's tragic death from his youth, a theme absent in the source novel. However, the detours into Falk's childhood trauma feel forced, slowing the narrative and adding unnecessary complexity to an already introspective character.
The film's exploration of missing persons and deaths against a backdrop of a beautiful yet threatening natural world resonates with a recurring theme in Australian cinema, reminiscent of classics like "Picnic at Hanging Rock." Connolly effectively captures the allure of such mysteries, setting the stage for a compelling narrative.
In "Force of Nature: The Dry 2," a group of women on a corporate hiking retreat in the Victorian mountain ranges find themselves in a perilous situation when one of their group, Alice, goes missing. As the search intensifies, it becomes clear that Alice's disappearance is linked to her role as a whistleblower in a corporate malfeasance case.
The film intercuts between the search for Alice and the women's experiences in the wilderness, highlighting the tensions and dynamics among the group members. Led by Jill, the wife of a prominent businessman, the group includes sisters Beth and Bree, as well as young mother Lauren. As the investigation unfolds, Falk and Carmen are drawn deeper into the web of deceit and intrigue surrounding Alice's disappearance, leading to a thrilling and suspenseful conclusion.
In "Force of Nature: The Dry 2," the tension among the women escalates as they realize that all of them have had conflicts with Alice, a colleague known for her abrasive demeanor. Their suspicions are heightened by an unsettling encounter between Alice and Daniel on the first night of their retreat. As they struggle to navigate the unfamiliar terrain without a map, the women's fears are compounded by the presence of a serial killer who haunted the area decades earlier.
The film effectively utilizes its natural settings, with stunning locations in Great Otway National Park, the Dandenong Ranges, and the Yarra Valley providing a picturesque yet foreboding backdrop. Cinematographer Andrew Commis captures the beauty and the isolation of the wilderness, from the majestic waterfall that marks the beginning of the women's journey to the oppressive foliage that closes in around them.
Anna Torv delivers a standout performance as Alice, portraying her as both fearful and defiant, adding depth to a character who is not easily likable. Deborra-Lee Furness shines as Jill, bringing a blend of humor and toughness to her role as one of the group leaders. The film's score, composed by Peter Raeburn, enhances the suspenseful atmosphere, adding to the overall sense of unease and mystery.
In "Force of Nature: The Dry 2," the film's narrative is weighed down by Aaron Falk's recurring memories of a traumatic family hiking trip from his childhood. These flashbacks, while intended to add depth to Aaron's character and explore his feelings of guilt and responsibility, ultimately disrupt the pacing of the main storyline. As Aaron grapples with his past and its parallels to the present case, the film's suspense is undermined, and the viewer may question the frequency with which Aaron's cases seem to reopen old wounds.
Full credits
Production companies: Made Up Stories, Arenamedia, Pick Up Truck Pictures
Distribution: IFC Films
Cast: Eric Bana, Anna Torv, Deborra-Lee Furness, Robin McLeavy, Sisi Stringer, Lucy Ansell, Jacqueline McKenzie, Jeremy Lindsey Taylor, Tony Briggs, Kenneth Radley, Richard Roxburgh, Archie Thomson, Ash Ricardo, Ingrid Torelli, Matilda Pawsey
Director-screenwriter: Robert Connolly, based on the book Force of Nature, by Jane Harper
Producers: Jodi Matterson, Steve Hutensky, Bruna Papandrea, Robert Connolly, Eric Bana
Executive producers: Andrew Myer, Robert Patterson, Meryl Metni, Ricci Swart, Jane Harper, Joel Pearlman, Edwina Waddy, Andrew Bassat, Joanna Baevski, Hayley Baillie, James Baillie
Director of photography: Andrew Commis
Production designer: Vanessa Cerne
Costume designer: Maria Pattison
Music: Peter Raeburn
Editors: Alexandre De Franceschi, Maria Papoutsis
Casting: Jane Norris
Rated R, 1 hour 52 minutes
