Oyster Farmer (2004)

59% of critics liked it
(17 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(1,353 ratings)

A young man has a hard time getting crime to pay better than honest work in this comedy-drama from Australia. When Jack Flange (Alex O'Lachlan) gets word that his sister Nikki (Claudia Harrison) has been in a serious auto accident, he leaves his home in Sydney and travels to the small seaside… More A young man has a hard time getting crime to pay better than honest work in this comedy-drama from Australia. When Jack Flange (Alex O'Lachlan) gets word that his sister Nikki (Claudia Harrison) has been in a serious auto accident, he leaves his home in Sydney and travels to the small seaside community where she lives. Money is tight for Nikki, so Jack looks for a job to help out; however, the best he can do is working for Brownie (David Field), who runs an oyster farm with his father Mumbles (Jim Norton). Jack soon learns that oyster farming is tough, physically punishing work, and while Brownie would be a difficult boss on the best of days, the fact that his ex-wife Trish (Kerry Armstrong) has opened a competing business has made matters significantly worse. Wanting more money and less labor, Jack steals a cache of money from an armored car, and to help cover his tracks mails the cash to himself. However, when the money never arrives in the mailbox, Jack wonders if someone has made off with his ill-gotten gains -- and if the law might be after him. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Anna Reeves
Written By: Anna Reeves
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 3, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Mar 14, 2006
Studio: C-100 Film Corporation

Critic Reviews

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Anna Reeves' debut feature film, set in a breathtaking stretch of the Hawkesbury River, jumps from idea to idea like a kangaroo, but it's a charmer all the same.
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
Fails to overcome its hokey script and cliched characterizations.
Jami Bernard, New York Daily News
If only you could shuck away the humdrum shell of a story about a guy who steals money and hides out among the local river workers, you might have an interesting documentary about shellfish.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
While her cast is talented, Reeves doesn't concentrate long enough on any plotline or character to build viewer interest.
Laura Kern, New York Times
This darkly humorous, sometimes even raunchy film mostly eludes a typical cutesy, feel-good formula.
Richard Kuipers, Variety
A well-observed study of outsiders distinguished by precise performances from a well-cast ensemble.
Maria Garcia, Film Journal International
Reeves discovers an allegory for the ebb and flow of life in these uncertain times.
Ted Fry, Seattle Times
There's just a little too much prettiness and plot to compete with all the eccentric behavior of the background population.
Sean Axmaker, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
... the plot takes some unlikely turns along familiar romantic rough waters.
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com
I think maybe this movie was harvested before its time because, just like an oyster, it blows its juice too soon and then it's pretty much worthless after that.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
A remarkably assured debut for writer/director Anna Reeves, whose characters have enough grit to turn an oyster into a pearl... The best Australian film of the year.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Reeves' debut feature follows a meandering but scenic course, much like the serpentine Hawkesbury River that serves as its beautiful locale.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Love blooms when we least expect it to and we must be ready for it with open hearts and a willingness to step into the dark.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
Something of an afterthought, but it's a lovely excursion while it lasts.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

Charming. Intelligent. Quirky. I have to tell you..there was this scene that involved a dog, and a remote, that had me in stitches. Kind of sad outcome..but really funny...
Walter M

"Oyster Farmer" starts with Jack(Alex O'Loughlin) giving a ride to Pearl(Diana Glenn) in his boat, making him late for work at the oyster farm run by Brownie(David Field). Aside from Brownie's dad(Jim Norton), Jack is about the only employee. Well, there might… More
"Oyster Farmer" starts with Jack(Alex O'Loughlin) giving a ride to Pearl(Diana Glenn) in his boat, making him late for work at the oyster farm run by Brownie(David Field). Aside from Brownie's dad(Jim Norton), Jack is about the only employee. Well, there might have been more if Brownie's wife Trish(Kerry Armstrong) had not left him. To be honest, it is not the job that attracted Jack to the area, but to be close to his sister Nikki(Claudia Harrison) who is recuperating at a local hospital from a car accident. However, the hospital stay is getting expensive and the insurance is running out, so Jack does the only sensible thing and robs an armored truck... "Oyster Farmer" is a sweet, gentle and meandering slice of life movie, set in a place where a good day's work is valued above most everything else which fits in well with what they used to say about best laid plans. Due to the men finding the work of oyster farming so difficult, a certain machismo erupts in the area.(It is hard to make a case for the area being a backwaters when it is so scenic.) That keeps women away emotionally and physically which costs the men in more ways than one. For example, Trish is a lot smarter than her estranged husband gives her credit for.
FanGirl B

This film seems like it should be in the Film Movement series, it has the same look, feel and storyline as many of the films in that series. So if you like the Film Movement I highly recommend this movie to you. This movie is beautiful to watch the scenery and light is just lovely.… More
This film seems like it should be in the Film Movement series, it has the same look, feel and storyline as many of the films in that series. So if you like the Film Movement I highly recommend this movie to you. This movie is beautiful to watch the scenery and light is just lovely. The light in this film reminds me of light in the late summer in the Midwest (USA) even though the film is Australian. It has interesting character and the their interaction are realistic and believable. It is interesting to watch river/oyster farming life, I had no idea it would be so tough. Looks like I'm the first one to review this movie on this site. Wow.