Refraining from venturing deep into the actual incident itself or the aftermath of Bryant's actions, Nitram (the name used sparingly throughout the film for Jones's character) is about as delicate as a film could be about the life of a tormented and lonely soul, one who was clearly unable to live an everyday life with his parents (played well by Australian icons Judy Davis and a nearly unrecognizable Anthony LaPaglia) and then in his friendship with fellow recluse Helen (played by Essie Davis). Tackling one of the rawest subject matters in Australia history, Nitram is an unnerving yet delicately made and acted drama exploring the life of infamous Tasmanian mass murderer Martin Bryant, a man who is responsible for the cold blooded and nightmarish Port Arthur massacre of 1996.Īn incident that shocked the usually peaceful lands down under and forever changed the gun laws of the nation, Bryant's horrific act isn't an incident many would care to revisit but thanks to the work of director Justin Kurzel and his awards worthy leading man Caleb Landry Jones, Nitram never veers into territory that is aimed at pure shock value or an exploration that tries to offer a sympathetic few to what made Bryant into the man he became.
Reviewed by eddie_baggins 9 / 10 The Australian film of 2021, an intense and considered masterpiece