Runt based on the novel by Craig Silvey hits the screen at Luna

Details: Written by: Greg Letts; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 18 September 2024

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Squid (as Runt) and Lily LaTorre (as Annie Shearer)
Photo: Court McCallister

On a mild spring evening my partner and I wandered down to Luna Leederville to watch a preview of Runt – the movie based on Craig Silvey's critically acclaimed novel. Having watched the trailer but not read the book, I was expecting a film aimed squarely at young children, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that Runt is a film for the whole family, adults included.

Runt tells the story of eleven year old Annie Shearer (Lily LaTorre) and her family, who are struggling to save their family farm (in Upson Downs, Western Australia) from the clutches of the local property magnate, Earl Robert-Barren (Jack Thompson). It hasn't rained for over a year and Earl has built a dam on his property which is hoarding all the water from the properties downstream, including the Shearer's farm.

Annie’s Dad Bryan (Jai Courtney) is trying to keep the farm going while harbouring a secret passion in his mysterious locked shed. Annie's mum Celeste contributes by baking the most unbelievable pies(!) and is a dab hand with the sewing machine. Annie's big brother Max (Jack LaTorre) is attempting to become a YouTube star with his daredevil antics, and Annie's widowed grandma Dolly (Genevieve Lemon) is online looking for love after losing her husband Wally, who was a mad inventor. And there is Annie, the family fixer, handy with her toolbelt but also wanting to solve her family's problems. They are a warm and happy bunch, with plenty of love but not much money to go around.

Things take a turn for the better when Annie adopts a stray dog whom she names Runt, who turns out to be adept at herding up the farm's sheep. After Runt has an unexpected win at the local dog agility contest, the Shearer family pins their hopes on Annie and Runt saving the day by winning the $250 000 first prize at the Krumpets Dog Show in London. But things are not so simple – Runt can't perform with anyone watching, rival dog trainer Fergus Fink (Matt Day) is hellbent on getting Runt disqualified from the competition, and Earl Robert-Barren is demanding a small fortune after the Shearer's sheep trespass on his land. Can Annie and Runt clear all these obstacles and make it to London?

Clocking in at just on 90 minutes, Runt is a warm and funny family movie that has plenty of colour, action and humour for the kiddies – not to mention a ton of very cute dogs! But it is still entertaining for parents and adults, with excellent performances from the cast and with WA's scenery never looking so good. With heartwarming themes of family & community, kind lies and being true to yourself, there are plenty of moral messages to take away from this vibrant and joyful slice of Australian country life. Lots of fun for the young at heart.

Runt opens at Luna Palace Cinemas tomorrow 19 September.

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