"“Although we explore some severe and disturbing themes you never quite feel uneasy or on edge...”"

The Australian's and Brits recently teamed up to create the dire wedding comedy A Few Best Men this summer, and now the two nations have collaborated once more, this time taking on a somewhat darker, twisted tale, in Tony Krawitz's Dead Europe, based on the novel by bestselling author Christos Tsiolkas.

Following the death of his father in a car accident, Australian born Isaac (Ewen Leslie) decides to travel to his families native country of Greece for the first ever time, to scatter the ashes of a man whom he had loved dearly. Despite his mother's best efforts in persuading him not to go, the curious photographer is determined to learn more of his father's shady history; one that he knows very little about.

However, as Isaac ventures to his father's village, he soon becomes aware that his whole families history and reputation has been tarnished indefinitely following a sinister incident involving a young Jewish boy during the Second World War, as locals proclaim his father was cursed as a result. During what is a drug-fuelled trip consisting of much reckless gay sex with unknown men, Isaac will do whatever he can to learn the truth of his father, hoping to travel to Budapest to visit his brother Nico (Marton Csokas) to search for such answers - yet the entire journey is accompanied by the reoccurring sightings of a young boy named Josef (Kodi Smit-McPhee).

If there is one thing you can say for sure about Dead Europe, is that it's no doubt a compelling novel, as a film that bears a fascinating narrative. However, sadly the same can't be said of the film, in what proves to be a cold and emotionless feature. There is no denying Krawitz's ability as a film maker from a visual sense, as the picture certainly looks the part – however, and despite the intrigue into the story, it does little to captivate the audience. Dead Europe, dead boring.

There is just a lack of intensity and emotion throughout, as although we explore some severe and disturbing themes you never quite feel uneasy or on edge. At the end when all is revealed, it barely shocks, or grips you. Much of the coldness emanating from this picture is a result of the character of Isaac, as although there is little criticism to be had of Leslie's performance, you never truly find empathy for the role, struggling to adhere to neither his predicament nor concerns.

Considering we are following a very personal journey of Isaac's, one that takes us through his heritage and history, we need to feel something towards him, but there is simply no warmth. That in itself truly prevents you from emotionally investing in this film. Of course not every film must be joyous and enjoyable, as some of the greatest films ever made survive off their discomfort and tautness - yet you still need to feel something towards the characters and their situation, and sadly that doesn't happen in this instance.

There are positives to be had in Dead Europe – it presents the continent with a dark and distressing tone, somewhat fitting given the financial crisis that currently exists in Greece. However, this film doesn't do much for the European tourism board, depicting countries such as Greece, France and Romania with a terrible bleakness. Next year on my summer holidays I think I'm just going to play it safe and go to Southend-on-Sea.