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Dish, The

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 27 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 11 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Comedy
Written by:
Santo Cilauro
Tom Gleisner
Jane Kennedy
Rob Sitch
Directed by: Rob Sitch
Release Date:
Theatrical: March 14, 2001
DVD: August 31, 2001
Running Time: 104 minutes, Color
Origin: Australia
Summary
RATING: PG-13 for brief strong language
Starring Sam Neill, Kevin Harrington, Patrick Warburton, Tom Long, Bille Brown, Roy Billing, Tayler Kane, and Genevieve Mooy
Set on a sheep farm in the remote town of Parkes, Australia in 1969, this is the amusing story of a satellite interface that served as a relay between NASA and Apollo 11 during the historic mission to the moon.
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum
It's a lovely, original, Australian take on a climactic moment usually thought of as all American.
Read Full Review >Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
It placed second for the People's Choice Award at the 2000 Toronto Film Festival--after "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." That's about right.
Read Full Review >Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington
The kind of movie some audiences are starved for, a comedy with a human face, warmth and spirit.
New York Post Lou Lumenick
Cannily weaving cross-cultural comedy with we-can-do-it humor in the spirit of "The Full Monty," the film builds to a rousing climax.
Portland Oregonian Kim Morgan
Appropriate music, lovely cinematography and stellar performances by both a subtly moving Neill and a likable, barrel-chested super-American Warburton.
Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern
Apollo 11's mission was a singular chapter in the story of mankind; The Dish finds a whimsical, winning way of telling it anew.
Washington Post Desson Thomson
Takes unabashed delight in itself and its own culture.
Read Full Review >Washington Post Rita Kempley
Simple fare, a feel-good movie that re-creates a time and place with gentle humor and a reminder that the Aussies have the right stuff, too.
Read Full Review >Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt
The acting and screenplay are amusing, but director Sitch might have taken a more adventurous approach to a tale with such an adventurous subject.
Read Full Review >Philadelphia Inquirer Steven Rea
Amusing, compelling and technologically fascinating tale.
Boston Globe Jay Carr
Warm, wry, endearing.
Baltimore Sun Chris Kaltenbach
It was a time in history eminently worth celebrating on film.
Miami Herald Rene Rodriguez
Sitch keeps the tone consistently light, scoring big laughs all the way to the film's climax.
Read Full Review >San Francisco Chronicle Bob Graham
A quirky character study of the four-man team, led by Sam Neill as the crew leader who seems surrounded by an aura of sadness but is so dedicated that he's not above lying to Houston to buy time when something goes wrong.
Read Full Review >Seattle Post-Intelligencer Paula Nechak
Works well as a metaphor for a more innocent time.
Read Full Review >New York Daily News Jami Bernard
For all its folksy jocularity, the movie inspires a sense of global patriotism. In the big picture, every little dish counts.
Read Full Review >USA Today Susan Wloszczyna
Dramatically moving and good-naturedly humorous, it transmits a sharp picture of humanity that inspires both awe and laughter.
Read Full Review >LA Weekly F. X. Feeney
Surprisingly moving -- prompting lumps in the throat over what was, after all, a historic moment of the most luminous hope.
Read Full Review >TV Guide Ken Fox
The cast is wonderful, the soundtrack features a well-chosen array of bouncy period pop tunes, and Graeme Wood's cinematography makes the most of the stately beauty of the dish itself.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas
It unfolds in a hearty, good-natured Australian comedy that affectionately depicts how the citizens of a small town become connected to the Apollo moon flight.
Read Full Review >Mr. Showbiz Kevin Maynard
A disarming helping of Capra-esque corn served up by writer-director Rob Sitch.
The New York Times Stephen Holden
Maintains a tone that remains as light and easygoing as the Australians living in the area.
Read Full Review >Charlotte Observer Lawrence Toppman
If you like films short, sweet and soothing, this may be exactly your "Dish."
Read Full Review >Film.com Robert Horton
If it weren't so pushy about selling itself, The Dish might have been a very special movie.
Read Full Review >Village Voice Michael Atkinson
Harmless and affectionate, The Dish gives its clichés breathing room, and so a few are pleasantly surprising.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 11 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Jay H gave it a7:
Sweet Australian film The cast is wonderful and give very real and natural performances. The characters are very well defined. Great cinematography, well written and directed. It's a fine, solid film.
Helen W. gave it a10:
One of my favorite movies. Anyone alive at the time the movie takes place is going to appreciate it. Very nostalgic, accented with popular music of the time, as well as a very nice score. I've seen it many times, and it still brings tears to my eyes. It is very sweet, funny and moving. One of the few moments in history you when you could believe we have the capacity to get it right, and you are glad to relive it again and again.
Boen i Egget gave it a 4:
Kind of boring.
David F. gave it a 9:
I think this is a great movie this and the castle r the best australian movies ever made i dont care what ne1 says.
Sam W. gave it a 10:
Marvellous, moving, funny.
Mikey gave it an 8:
I really enjoyed this movie. This is the type of intelligent, humorous, adult quality film that the whole family can enjoy. Take your parents and your grandparents to see it!
Catriona C. gave it a 10:
Very funny and whimsical.
