THE WATER DIVINER (2014)

At first glance Russell Crowe's directorial debut, The Water Diviner, isn't the most uplifting of stories.  Set during and several years after the Battle of Gallipoli, the film is about an Australian man, Connor, with an almost mystical knack for finding underwater wells, who along with his wife suffers a blinding loss when all three of his three sons are killed in battle.  Another tragedy four years later, and Connor - determined to keep a promise he made to his wife to have his sons buried at home - travels to Turkey in search of their remains, his process blocked at every turn by the military, a new invasion, and the ongoing tensions of the country itself, still very much in the throes of war.  Crowe turns in an understated, heartfelt performance, and yes the film openly manipulates your heartstrings (with this subject matter, you'd expect less?), but not in a way that feels fake or forced.  Crowe's debut as a director is touching, moving, suspenseful and humane; may he continue to work more behind the camera, as well. (rated R)  B+