I would say I admired it rather than liked it. It's a good film, well produced, good performances, interesting storylines - nothing i don't like about it, and I liked it, but not to the point of loving it either. I gave it 8/10 on my personal satisfaction rating, because I appreciate the talent and effort that has gone in to it, but that's not the same as other things I've rated that high which I might rave about.
I think the point about not connecting with the characters is important. The cop describes himself as feeling empty at one point, which is portrayed well, and is a charge that could be levelled at a number of the other characters too. As a result, our ability to bond with hollowed out people is impacted on, and that does give the film a degree of detachment that I can fully understand creates a barrier to the viewer. I think it's intentional, and have no criticism for those that can't get past it. For those that do, there's a lot to look for, but I don't think it's necessary to love it having got that far.

I thought this movie was okay, but not that excellent either. The beginning was way more promising and interesting than the ending. I enjoyed the realism, but somehow the characters were not that engaging for me.

The fact that it can arouse enough passion in people to love it or loathe it suggests it is a substantially thought provoking film.
I guess it needs to be reiterated that it was a very big commercial and critical success on initial release in Australia and did quite well elsewhere.
So it might be argued that more people like it than loathe it.
I think you've identified the reasons for any polarizations the film may cause.
It's not an action cop flick, or a mystery who dun it. Some may watch it expecting to see elements common to those genres and then feel disappointed upon not being served up what was expected.
Those expecting an intelligent, engrossing, well-acted and directed character driven drama with some neatly intersecting story arcs and plot twists will feel far less aggrieved about spending time midst the lantana.

And some people enjoy observing carefully crafted, complex character development.
"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

Because the plot starts halfway through the movie only? Some people like to be able to do other things while watching a movie. I don't.
For every lie I unlearn I learn something new - Ani Difranco

Why do people either love or hate the film? Because people are either intelligent or stupid.
As you said, it's a thought provoking film. Problem is some people don't have any thoughts in their empty heads, hence when they get provoked, they become insulted and tries to fight back by hating on the film.

Having read and loved the play first, the film was a bit of a let down.

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To the original poster, thankyou for your comments about Lantana'. It's a character-driven, theme-driven movie. Like Lost In Translation' (checkout the message boards for that film if you want to read some indescribable drivel from those-who-must-be-entertained), Lantana' demands an input - a commitment, if you like - from the viewer. Rather than being passively entertained, you must enter the journey with the characters, and take the risks they take. When I first saw it, I told my friends that I thought no-one under the age of 40 would get it', but I've been proven wrong, as this thread shows.
If you like your movies to star Adam Sandler or Jack Black, then give this one a miss, as it was not written with you in mind.
I am not a lunatic. I have the psychiatric report to prove it.

I guess people either love 'dull' or don't.

Well in that case there's even less excuse for him to be patronising.
How do you like them apples?

He's not 12 you idiot, he's in year 12.

I like the way that, as a 12 year old, you look down on 10 year olds. Does that mean we can patronise you if we're older?
The fact that it can arouse enough passion in people to love it or loathe it suggests it is a substantially thought provoking film.
By that token, The Fantastic Four is a thought provoking film.
I'm done.
How do you like them apples?

It's a very thematically rich film. I can't believe why people don't at least try to understand how great this movie actually is.
I have to say though, when I studied this at school as well (last year in year 11) I was annoyed when our teacher told us the film was about marriage I saw that it was generally about trust (and the consequences for the relationship when trust is broken). It's one thing when n00bz underanalyse it, but it's worse when your English teacher does

velob53^
Great post!
I just watched it first time & have been reading other viewers' analyses here.
Along with what others are picking up on (trust, secrets, etc.) and your marvelous insight into 'assumptions', I also noticed a theme about consequences of 'neglect'.
What can happen if you neglect others, your relationships, yourself & your feelings, etc., and regardless of whether the neglect is intentional or not.
Interesting film ~
"Much communication in a motion, without conversation or a notion"

this is a brilliant film about assumptions. it subtly forces the viewer to make assumptions about the characters before the characters make the same assumptions about each other.
it's an incredibly powerful film.

'da looniz' -good post.
Lantana is a superb film, intelligent, well acted and well scripted. I have watched it 3 times and take something new from it everytime.
I can see how it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea but it is wrong of people to come on this forum and slate it when they clearly lack the patience and perhaps intelligence to try to understand it.
I rarely watch Big Budget Blockbusters, I often find them tiresome and lacking any depth. That doesn't mean to say the likes of Lord Of The Rings, Spiderman 3 etc are poor films. they just aren't for me.

It's not a movie for casual viewers. Unless the viewers really read into the movie, they're gonna hate it. Honestly, I didn't appretiate the movie until my third viewing of it.

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