The Final Winter
An '80's rugby league player confronts the changes to the game and the betrayal of those he's been loyal to...
Margaret: 
David: 
The Final Winter
Review by Margaret Pomeranz
THE FINAL WINTER is the story of Grub Henderson, (MATT NABLE), captain of the Newtown Rugby League team in the early 1980’s, a man with a mission but facing an identity crisis.
Grub has problems with his brother Trent, (NATHANIEL DEAN), that date way back in family history but Grub’s problem is really within himself. How to deal with a changing world and the end of life on the footy field.
THE FINAL WINTER is another independently funded Australian film and it’s another one that strikes a chord.
Grub is an unlikeable hero but in the hands of former footballer, first-time screenwriter and star MATT NABLE, there’s an earthy honesty to the guy.
The film harks back to the pre-corporate, pre-political correctness days of League in its raw thuggery.
And I have to say there’s an attraction there, partly because the corporate dude, played by JOHN JARRATT, is such a sleaze.
But it’s about mates’ loyalty, honour for the code, all that sort of boy stuff that would nauseate me if it weren’t for the human background to Grub’s life, personified by his relationship with wife Emma, (RAELEE HILL), who knows her husband well and loves him but doesn’t like him any more.
Performances are tops, direction by Jane Forrest and Brian Andrews conveys both the thrill and the human emotion of the piece.
And I can’t not mention MATTHEW JOHNS's convincing performance as the team’s coach.
Further comments
MARGARET: David?
DAVID: Well, Margaret, as you know, I don't know anything about Rugby...League?
MARGARET: League.
DAVID: League.
MARGARET: League. Oh, dear!
DAVID: My son tried to teach me about it many years ago and...
MARGARET: Failed, obviously.
DAVID: Failed dismally. So, I go to a film like this not knowing really what it's all about except that it obviously - it's a sport.
MARGARET: Oh, dear.
DAVID: A particularly unappealing looking sport, I must say, where they punch each other and all this sort of thing. I mean, am I saying terrible things? Look, if you love the game I'm sure you'll love the film.
Now what's interesting is that not knowing anything about the game and really caring less, and I really thought that the central character, Grub, was quite well-named and really repulsive.
But having said all that, I thought it was a really interesting film because first of all, I think it's really well made. I think it's really well acted.
And it sort of got me in to this whole idea of the end of an era and things changing and the sort of corporate bastards coming in, you know.
MARGARET: I think the analogy that this film draws is actually quite good.
DAVID: Mm.
MARGARET: Because I think we are losing our sense of community.
DAVID: I think that's the point and I think the film makes that point really well, actually.
Your rating: The Final Winter
Rating:
Comment: A beaut movie with a good, interesting storyline, character development that is seamless and natural with a down to earth, honest, Australian feel. And I don't even like league!
Rating:
Comment: I was so excited to be an extra with my son Nathan back in September 2006 when the movie was called
The Last Winter. In the movie I'm the big guy with the number 10 jersey on in the background a few times and Nathan is the one who got an autograph from Nathaniel Dean after the game and also coming in the gates with 'his family' at the start of the big game.
We both enjoyed the experience so much, it was brilliant. Getting to see the movie finished and on the big screen was awesome!
Rating:
Comment: Great film, good acting, realistic rugby league scenes, taking you back to to the good old days when people would watch the game on the grass.
Perhaps it is like other films that date back to the 70s and 80s, we think they were the good old days, maybe they were, but this one makes you feel like you were there listening to the good old 80s sound! Must see film..
Rating:
Comment: Very unfashionable story and characters but a convincing piece of social history. And a humbling demonstration of what amateurs can do with passion and a good story. I hope we see more of these great talents.
Rating:
Comment: Hopefully people of Australia will wake up -appreciate talented actors as well as movie directors ??
I have no knowledge of rugby - dilemmas & numerous human conflicts were familiar & well presented - you easily identified with the characters and felt for them too - the depth of sadness of Mick "being made redundant" - Mick's wife being relegated as "2nd" in the relationship was very real - John Jarratt gave a believable renditon of his character - very unlikeable indeed - it felt good to see nursing a wound... ;))
Australian moviemaking has come of age - Bravo!!
Rating:
Comment: I have seen Final Winter twice, and the relationship between the characters are strong and excellent portaryed ,all seem at ease. Nathaniel Dean's performance was outstanding. As an up and coming Australian actor, I think we will be seeing him alot more in the future.
Final Winter is well worth the ticket price at the box office.
Rating:
Comment: Pleasantly surprised by this little gem.
Fine performances by the actors notwithstanding, the solid script is probably the film's biggest star.
Quite a rarity in recent local releases...
Rating:
Comment: I loved this film. I did not expect to be moved by a film set in working class inner-west Sydney, based on rugby league and with a cast that featured Matthew Johns and several leaguie cameos. (I could not help but think of Johns' Reg Reagan character though!). I thought the performance of Raelee Hill as Grub's wife was brilliant - as was Matt Nagle's. Thoroughly convincing, believable, real characters.
Rating:
Comment: Well, another Australian film which does nothing to diminish our image as a land of unsophisticated yobs. Why can't have some movies about Australian culture which don't include sport, heroin or surburban violence. The acting is totally wooden and the scenes feel forced and flow poorly. See this film if there is nothing on TV and the video store is closed. If you get the chance, write to the film makers and set them straight. I did! Their response showed contrition, as well it should.
Rating:
Comment: Exceptional: Australian film has new talents. No bulldust, no pretension, no art direction in your eye, no false emotion. Fast movingm knows when to stop.Top stuff.
Rating:
Comment: The Final Winter is a raw film, with serious likeable characters in it. Matt Nable shines as Grub especially as it's his first time on film.
Well worth a look.
