This was the case for many when it was announced that John Marden’s beloved series of novels, ‘Tomorrow When The War Began’ ('TWTWB') was being made into a film. But thankfully, the screen adaption of ‘TWTWB’ does the books every bit of justice they deserve. 'TWTWB' tells the tale of Ellie and her six friends who go camping deep in the scrub, and return to find their parents gone, the power off and their animals dead. Soon the horrible truth is revealed; a war has begun, and the country has been invaded by thousands of foreign soldiers. The seven friends are thrown violently and unapologetically into the war – they must now band together to stay alive, and fight back guerilla-style.
Young, energetic and beautifully shot, the storyline stays true (with a few obligatory adjustments to serve the screen) and the characters are played spot on. Fans of the book will also be pleased to know that John Marsden himself gave his all important nod of approval to Australian director and screenwriter Stuart Beattie (who also has working credits on 'Australia', 'Collateral', 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl').
What’s so great about the central characters (and why the books are so loved) is that there is someone almost anyone can relate to. The headstrong and brave 17-year-old Ellie (Caitlin Stasey) takes the lead, flanked by her down-to earth best friend Corrie (Rachel Hurd-Wood) , her footy-head boyfriend Kevin (Lincoln Lewis) , the shy and thoughtful Lee (Chris Pang) , pampered beauty-queen Fiona (Phoebe Tonkin) , slapstick stoner Chris (Andy Ryan, who provides the welcome comedic relief), loveable bad-boy Homer (Deniz Akdeniz, who pulls focus as the standout), and the uber-religious Robyn (Ashleigh Cummings) whose good-girl, war-life transition is particularly moving.
The movie also doubles as an impressive tourism plug, showcasing Australia’s stunning rugged bush landscape with sweeping panoramic shots across New South Wales’ Blue Mountains and the Hunter Region.
All these elements come together to yield the plot frighteningly real, and audiences are free to throw themselves into the drama, without a second thought to the authenticity of the far-fetched storyline. But punctuated in the story are also some genuinely funny moments, which balance what is otherwise a somber, thought-provoking film about war.
Just as impressive is what the film leaves out – any masochistic glamorisation of war, over-the-top Hollywood-esque embellishments or romantic, emotional cheese. Best of all, it leaves you asking, what would you do if you found yourself in the same situation?
Those that have grown up reading the books will find ’TWTWB’ an accurate and pleasing adaptation, but those that haven’t will still find it an exhilarating, intelligent film that leaves you gripping the seat until the end credits roll. Then probably off to the library to read the book.
Don’t miss ‘Tomorrow When The War Began,’ when it hits cinemas across Australia on September 2!
Copyright : MTV Australia
