Lantana

2002

Lantana

Critics Consensus

Lantana is an intricately plotted character study that quietly shines with authenticity.

90%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 105

82%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 7,472
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Movie Info

Plagued with grief over the murder of her daughter, Valerie Sommers suspects that her husband John is cheating on her. When Valerie disappears, Detective Leon Zat and his partner Claudia attempt to solve the mystery of her absence. As they investigate, a complex web of love, sex and deceit emerges- drawing in four related couples whose various partners are distrustful and suspicious about each other's involvement.

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Cast

Anthony LaPaglia
as Leon
Geoffrey Rush
as John
Barbara Hershey
as Valerie
Kerry Armstrong
as Sonja
Vince Colosimo
as Nik
Daniela Farinacci
as Paula
Rachael Blake
as Jane
Peter Phelps
as Patrick
Leah Purcell
as Claudia
Nicholas Cooper
as Sam
Glenn Robbins
as Pete
Mark Dwyer
as Dylan
Keira Wingate
as Hannah
Melissa Martinez
as Lisa
Russell Dykstra
as Mystery Man
Lani John Tupu
as Patrick's Lover
Lesley Hancock
as Lover's Wife
Angus McGuigan
as Lover's Child
Jon Bennett
as Steve
Ashley Fitzgerald
as Eleanor
Jacomb Borra
as Jacob
Ben Mortley
as Jose
Gabriella Maselli
as Sarah
William Cripps
as Harry
Angus Cripps
as Harry
Lionel Tozer
as Police Officer
Glenn Suter
as Police Officer
Richard Morecroft
as Newsreader
James Cullington
as Man at Book Launch
Natasha Guthrie
as Young Girl
Puven Pather
as Drug Dealer
Owen McKenna
as Old Man in Pajamas
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Critic Reviews for Lantana

All Critics (105) | Top Critics (32)

  • A meditation on fidelity in marriage where the suspense and surprises stem from who has -- or hasn't -- been betraying each other and how.

    Jul 20, 2002

    Mark Caro

    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic

  • Lawrence cast well and gets terrific performances all the way up and down the line.

    Mar 7, 2002 | Rating: 4/5

    Roger Moore

    Orlando Sentinel
    Top Critic

  • A perceptive, powerfully acted psychodrama.

    Feb 3, 2002 | Rating: 4.5/5

    Rita Kempley

    Washington Post
    Top Critic

  • The emotional experience of "Lantana" is heightened by its marvelous ensemble cast, all of whom etch a character in relatively brief screen time.

    Jan 25, 2002 | Full Review…

    Moira MacDonald

    Seattle Times
    Top Critic

  • Solving the mystery of the dead body would be enough for most Hollywood movies. In Lantana, it's merely a device to launch us into more rewarding explorations.

    Jan 25, 2002

    Eric Harrison

    Houston Chronicle
    Top Critic

  • Lantana is so rich in secondary characters and performances it's hard to mention them all. But you will certainly appreciate them.

    Jan 25, 2002 | Full Review…

    Steven Rosen

    Denver Post
    Top Critic
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Audience Reviews for Lantana

  • Dec 14, 2013
    3 1/4 stars....A fairly interesting movie, but just barely. Really slow. Anthony LaPaglia went through this movie showing the same forlorn face all throughout. I was having a difficult time staying interested...
    Cynthia S Super Reviewer
  • Apr 19, 2013
    A brilliant, subdued near-masterpiece concerning feeling lost and numb to one's marriage, as seen through the eyes of different people who are all connected through various odd coincidences. The acting across the board is terrific, especially Anthony LaPaglia as a cop with emotional problems and suffering from guilt after cheating on his wife (Kerry Armstrong). Certainly a very depressing and hard-hitting film that is not afraid to get its hands dirty, but the way it analyzes different situations with such perception and tender care is certainly admirable and impressive. Hard-hitting and not for everyone, definitely an adult movie, but a genuinely fascinating look at marriage and the careless decisions people make in order to find happiness that only proves to be fleeting in the end.
    Dan S Super Reviewer
  • Sep 24, 2011
    Great characters, relationships between the characters, and great performances illuminate this film to another level. One you learn to accept all the coincidences going on, you'll find yourself enthralled by this web that writer Andrew Bovell has spun.
    Jared H Super Reviewer
  • May 11, 2009
    Lantana turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I knew little about it before watching it and, from the initial scene, I thought it was going to be a murder mystery, but it turned out to be an excellent psychological drama that involved the interactions of the lives of these characters.Geoffrey Rush had the perfect face to realize his character's disconnections. Barbara Hershey perfectly played a psychiatrist with her own problems.Kerry Armstrong's portrayal of a woman struggling with her marriage.Then Anthony La Plagia played Leon Zat, who due to his investigations got involved with all of the other characters. The acting was superb. The endings, for each of the main characters, was very clear.
    Daisy M Super Reviewer
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