It's a classic tale well told.

It's hard to say if there is a centre to a narrative that jumps from one subplot to another in the manner of a soap opera.

Centered on a 14-year-old boy caught up in a murder mystery involving a part-Aboriginal suspect, this outstanding adaptation of Craig Silvey's novel will appeal strongly to teenage and adult audiences.

The film is unable to delve into the characters like Silvey's source material, but the performances, particularly Miller, are charming. One wishes Collette's Ruth had retained the novel's complexity, however, since here she doesn't make much sense