By that token, Till Human Voices Wake Us has to be one of the most lyrical films I have seen in recent months. Its theme is simplistic at best: a psychiatrist's childhood memories come flooding back when he returns to his hometown for his father's funeral, exacerbated further by a mysterious amnesic woman who reminds him of...well, any reader of this review can guess.

But what sets it apart is the deliberately languid pacing, the haunting visuals that look like preparatory stock for a big-budget music video, the elaborate trance in which the narrative seems to waft. I like Guy Pearce, love Bonham Carter, and together they sport some sizzling chemistry. Australia lends itself to scenic splendor of the highest order.

But the 18-dollar question: do I recommend it? Depends on your taste. If you've sat through Kurosawa's epics or 80s French films, the kind where nothing much appears to happen on screen yet a lot is kindled in your imagination, then you should find enough to savor in this dreamy romance. If not, it may come off as a pretentious, vacuous, or even ultimately confusing endeavor. Your call, I think it's a firm 3 of 5 stars for its radiance alone.

Gentle but mysterious
Review date: 2005-10-01 Rating: 8 out of 10

Sam is a psychiatrist. He moved to Melbourne years ago. His father dies and his last wish is to be buried in the town that they came from.

Sam goes back and meets a woman on a train. She introduces herself as Ruby. Later on he rescues a woman who jumps off a bridge. The woman can't remember who she is.

Interpersed through out the film are flashbacks to Sam's childhood. We see him spending time with his childhood sweetheart.

It's a heartwarming film. The characterisation is good most of the time. However, I found it hard to believe the pace of things after we get an answer to the woman's identity. The final scene does leave a few questions.

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