Scriptwriter Reg Cribb and director Jeremy Simms have taken the true-life story of Max Bell and put a lens on attitudes about the right to die and aspects of Australian society most of us rarely see.The film, based on Reg Cribb's 2003 stage play, commences in Broken Hill. Rex, a cabbie played by Michael Caton, has a long-standing relationship with Polly his Aboriginal neighbour. Both have somewhat abrasive personalities, but they complement each other perfectly.When Rex is diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer, he learns that the Northern Territory has legalised euthanasia. He decides to leave and drive his cab to Darwin to have an assisted death rather than face a lingering one in hospital.Rex's trip to Darwin is not unlike the journey of the three protagonists in "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert", its across roughly the same area and ends up in the same place, but like that earlier film, it's also a journey of discovery. Along the way, Rex becomes involved with a number of people and they change each other's lives.Although the film alters Max Bell's experience considerably, "Last Cab to Darwin" allows for another journey; the one through the divide in Australian society that started in 1788 when the original inhabitants and the European settlers were thrown together.The film seems to reinforce certain stereotypes about Indigenous Australians, especially in the role of Tilly (Mark Coles Smith), however in other ways it shows them as more sharing and less obsessed with material possessions. Tilly's character emerges as a complex one, although brash and cocky on the surface, his underlying fears and self doubts are revealed.The setting for the film is during that brief period in the mid 1990's when euthanasia was legalised in the Northern Territory, but was quickly shut down by federal law. The film doesn't necessarily advocate euthanasia though; both sides of the argument are played out.Finally, the performances are so real that some scenes are hard to watch. Michael Caton gave us a modern Australian icon with his Darryl Kerrigan in "The Castle", but he surpasses himself here.The last scene in "Last Cab to Darwin" is a lump in the throat moment. Maybe the film won't have much of a following outside Australia, but its central theme of the right to die with dignity is universal.

Every now and again, a movie strikes home for me. We all suffer loss and have fears of the unknown. A movie like Last Cab to Darwin finds a way to address both in a palatable, but in a touching, oh-so human way.Kudos to the ensemble for the fine acting, wonderful cinematography, directing, and imagery invoked in scene after scene. This is an intelligent, deeply moving story. The film's two dimensional representations of rural Australia and it's inhabitants belie the depth of this story. These were artfully used as the canvas upon which complicated characters and rich allegorical reflections on life were illustrated. Any time there seemed to be a cliché developing, it was spun into an important insight or revelation.Michael Caton's portrayal of Rex was simply amazing. A good actor's work will be described as believable...realistic. But a performance like this one goes beyond believable. You feel like you have always known this character personally. He is the workaday everyman. He could be your neighbor, an old friend, or a mate from work that you have beers with on payday. You are comfortable around him. When he hurts, you feel real compassion for him. You share in his feelings of fulfillment when he triumphs. Caton takes you along on this ride, not by force, but because you don't want to leave him. He asks for nothing, yet the grip of this character is so powerful you can't turn away from him. He is quietly deserving. We want to give to him. He is us, after all. We give to him as we would like to give to ourselves.See this movie. It's a gem.

I've read the negative reviews of the movie and it appears they have little sympathy for the harsh reality of the film LMAO. If I wanted to see a beautiful Australia or doing right to Aborigines I go watch nature channel or Crocodile Dundee. The unwillingness to accept the fate the movie has bestow to the viewer at front is astonishing mind boggling they deserve their own Darwin award.The movie is sad, it's depressing. It's not going to make you feel good aside from the few moments. So if you're expecting something entirely different than what it's going to give you then you're going to have to join the negative reviewers and grab yourself a Darwin award.Whether Rex lives or dies is inconsequential. It's his denial of his life and the people around him that is in question.Enjoy the movie. It's not a great movie but it's a good movie worth watching.

This movie is absolute complete and utter garbage.Us Aussies, are such great magnanimous, liberal, egalitarian, multicultural heroes.What can you say when you're so damn awesome. The main (caucasian) character has an aboriginal girlfriend/wife. Wow! How cool is that? But that's not enough here folks. No, no, no .. let's add a guess what? A young male aboriginal, hip talking, almost picked for AFL footy player, road trip pal. The casting here is just blowing me away. And just to make sure its "real Aussie", let's chuck in Caton and the obligatory Weaver. I thought they were both dead already. Oh no, that was the referenced Northern Territory euthanasia legislation, 20 somewhat years ago. Nothing like a current and topical story. Let's not forget another critical casting component for potential UK tourist appeal; a beer pulling babe from London who just happens to be a nurse. Perfect.After reading the film's blurb I was ready for an "epic journey" where Caton "does things and meets people who force him to re-evaluate his life".Having personally suffered for more than 2 hours without morphine, I just need to share that I'm going to re-evaluate my life. I'm off to contact Lifeline and BeyondBlue, concurrently, via conference call, just to be sure. If anything in this review raises similar concerns with you or a loved one, please do likewise on 13 11 14 or 1300 22 4636. And always see your doctor, if pain continues.