It's a relentlessly well-meaning film and when it's not proselytising, it's working very hard to manufacture enough laughs to make the whole mix palatable. However, the effort shows.

The film is worth seeing for Waters, giving a spirited portrayal of a loving father set in his ways and unable to see that times are changing, and Breeds as his lively, talented, worldly wise daughter.

Elton knows how to locate the laughs in his material - and he's a shameless crowdpleaser - but his emotional reach only goes skin deep.

Three Summers is purely joyous. It's a film that makes me excited and proud to be Australian. It left me with a feeling of hope and pure warmth.