I am fascinated by the ocean. Even more so, I am fascinated by the creatures that call the ocean their home. I thought Blueback would be a story somewhat like two of my favorite documentaries, Blackfish (2013) or My Octopus Teacher (2020), However, Blueback is not really that at all, even though it is, it almost feels like it really is not sure what is at all. It tries to be too many things and ends up not really developing a strong plot along the way. 

 

Blueback is a story of a young woman, Abby (Mia Wasikowska) who has traveled back home to Western Australia to care for her mother who recently suffered a stroke. The story flashes back and forth between the current day and her childhood. She learns to dive from her activist mother, Dora, and this is when she finds and befriends the grouper she names Blueback. From here, the story doesn’t really commit to one thing and stick with it - Abby and the relationship with her mother, losing her father, falling for a boy, protecting Blueback. It kinda jumps all over the place before you can become invested enough in one angle of the story to deeply care about any of it. Overall this is a pleasant and harmless watch with a predictable message about family and saving the environment, but at the same time it felt lackluster. The underwater view and camera work were well done, and the grouper was believable - but otherwise this is kinda boring  and forgettable.