Lantana is a briar patch of a film about four marriages in trouble in suburban Sydney, with some sex and a little death thrown in for good measure. It stirred up a lot of feelings for me while I was watching it, although when I walked out the door somehow the thought returned that "it's only a movie" and in retrospect I find myself picking it apart.
It reminded me of other ensemble movies I've enjoyed, maybe a little more of Grand Canyon than Short Cuts or The Anniversary Party, with a nod to the stylishness of Magnolia (is the botanical title a coincidence?). It was good as always to see a movie with a focus on sexy 40-somethings. I want to see it again.
P.S.: Am I nuts or does Anthony LaPaglia look a lot like George W.?