The Dry

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Directed by Robert Connolly
Produced by Eric Bana, Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky, Robert Connolly, and Jodi Matterson

Screenplay by Robert Connolly and Harry Cripps Based on the novel by Jane Harper

With: Eric Bana, Genevieve O'Reilly, Keir O'Donnell, John Polson, Julia Blake, Bruce Spence, William Zappa, Matt Nable, James Frecheville, Jeremy Lindsay Taylor, Joe Klocek, BeBe Bettencourt, Claude Scott-Mitchell, Sam Corlett, and Miranda Tapsell

Cinematography: Stefan Duscio
Editing: Nick Meyers and Alexandre de Franceschi
Music: Peter Raeburn

Runtime: 117 min
Release Date: 01 January 2021
Aspect Ratio: 2.39 : 1
Color: Color

Robert Connolly’s adaptation of Jane Harper's debut novel is a small-town murder mystery told with a refreshingly old fashioned pace that lacks contrived twists. The dusty Australian setting and Bana's reserved lead performance make it stand out.

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How I Rate Films



An All-timer. One of the 5000 greatest films. Usually only awarded after repeat viewings.



One of the year's best. An excellent film. Possibly one of the 5000 greatest and certainly worthy of repeated viewing.



A very good film. Most films I see fall in the two- or three-star ranking. I give an extra half-star to three-star films that could end up on the list of the 5000 greatest.



A good film that fully succeeds at what it sets out to accomplish. Well worth seeing, but less effective than a three-and-a-half stars films and often less consequential than a two-and-a-half star film.



A noteworthy or enjoyable film that I can’t fully recommend. Still, two-and-a-half star films are often some of the most memorable films of a year.



A disappointment, an interesting failure, or just a bad movie. But still worth seeing if you’ve got the time.



A bad, rant-worthy film. Should be avoided regardless of hype or talent involved.



One of the worst films.