Romulus, My Father Film Review

The characters in “Romulus, My Father” (2007) enjoy physical freedom of movement but are psychically trapped by the tyranny of their emotions. Romulus Gaita (Eric Bana) and his wife Christina (Franka Potente), who emigrate to Australia in the late 1950s, both grapple with depression and suicidal thoughts. Romulus immerses himself in a punishing work schedule while Christina restlessly moves between their isolated farmhouse and the urban squalor of Melbourne. Their son Raimond (Kodi Smit-McPhee), whom they undeniably love, is buffeted by the instability of his parents’ marriage.

The Gaita family on the move in Australia (Franka Potente and Eric Bana).

Thrown into the mix are fellow emigres and brothers Mitru (Russell Dykstra) and Hora (Marton Csokas). Mitru has sabotaged his friendship with Romulus by becoming Christina’s lover while Hora is a supportive ally to both Romulus and his son. In lieu of mental health care, which is both unaffordable and unavailable in their environment, these five personalities develop different coping strategies. While Hora and Raimond’s mechanisms are adaptive (positive), Romulus, Christina, and Mitru exhibit maladaptive (negative) coping mechanisms that lead to tragedy.

Raimond, who appears to have no friends his own age, finds solace in animals, music, and books. His love of reading is fostered by Hora. Despite his 16-hour-a-day factory job, Hora still finds time to read poetry and philosophy. Hora also plays matchmaker for Romulus as his marriage to Christina falters. Unfortunately, the woman whom he selects for Romulus in their native Romania hides the fact that she is already married. Romulus, who has exchanged letters with the woman and generously sent her cash, is devastated. No longer able to tolerate the continuous calamities visited upon him, Romulus turns violent. His unprovoked attacks on Hora and Raimond result in a forced commitment to an asylum.

Raimond (Kodi Smit-McPhee) with two of his coping mechanisms, the radio and his pet cockatoo.

Christina is the film’s most enigmatic character. She is intelligent but recklessly engages in casual sex in her search for fulfillment. Christina gives birth to Mitru’s daughter, perhaps hoping another child will “fix” her life, but then suffers from post-partum depression. At first empathetic, Mitru gradually is overwhelmed by Christina’s distant emotional state and their poverty. He becomes physically abusive, although the violence happens off-camera. Both characters are unable to reconcile their love for life and their children with their untenable mental pain. Their lives end in suicide.

“Romulus, My Father” is based on Raimond Gaita’s true-life memoir, lest you think the story is so tragic as to be cinematic invention. The brilliance of Nick Drake’s screenplay, and Richard Roxburgh’s direction, is that the narrative is neither judgmental nor mawkish. None of the adults is a villain. All are complex characters who are functioning in society as best they are able. The story is ultimately uplifting as Romulus survives his psychological breakdown and remarries. Raimond, the avid reader, becomes a bestselling author and teacher. Rai’s life is an embodiment of the Marcus Aurelius maxim Hora articulates in the film; “Things change, but our life is what our thoughts make it.”

Romulus, My Father Film Review

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