Never Too Late

Four former prisoners of war, members of an elite squad nicknamed the Chainbreakers, reside at Hogan Hills retirement home under the Mental Health Act. They each have unfinished business outside and are not allowed to leave the facility. Their shared past and restrictions create mounting tension as they contemplate a break from their confined lives.

Bronson pretends to have worsening symptoms so he can remain near Norma, the widow Army nurse he once loved. Norma lives with Alzheimer's, making their past relationship murky and their connections fragile. The other ex prisoners blame Bronson's leadership for their Vietnam imprisonment, though he continues to manipulate events from within the home.

Caine longs to sail on his own yacht, a symbol of freedom he cannot reach while confined inside the retirement home. He remains restrained for his own safety, underscoring the sense of being trapped. His longing mirrors the group's broader desire to escape their past and reclaim control.

Wendell is a wheelchair bound former biker and bank robber who hasn't stepped outside since 1975. He is alienated from his son Bruce, and his letters are always returned unopened. He regrets missing the simple chance to share ordinary moments, like taking Bruce to a football game.

Angus, a former Collingwood player, was disqualified for punching an opponent and never received the 1973 Brownlow Medal. He clings to the medal as a relic of past glory and the injustice of his punishment. The medal becomes a tangible symbol driving his stubborn resolve to escape.

The four inmates enlist Elliot, a young orderly, to help with their plans. Lin, the Vietnam-born matron in charge, is unaware of her son's role in guarding them. Unknown to the escapees, Lin is the daughter of a prison guard who refused to shoot the escapees and was executed for his failure.

The backstory of Lin's family is revealed: she is the daughter of the guard who refrained from shooting the escapees and was executed. This revelation deepens the tension between authority and the escapees. It foreshadows conflicts that could threaten the plan.

After several foiled attempts, the chainbreakers escape the home in a hearse and pick up Bruce along the way. The daring breakout marks a shift from planning to action and tests the group's cohesion. The escape demonstrates their willingness to risk everything for a chance at outside life.

At Adelaide Oval, Wendell and his son Bruce watch a football match as part of a momentary escape from the pursuit. During the scene, Angus steals the Brownlow Medal from its display case, turning a symbol of glory into a prize they can use or lose. The theft intensifies the stakes and links the past to their present flight.

The group flees again by boarding a Glenelg tram and convincingly posing as innocent tourists. The police buy their act and release them, allowing the escape to continue. The improvisation shows how they survive on the edge of freedom.

Bronson meets Norma on the jetty, and she accepts his proposal, giving his plan a glimmer of hope for a future together. The moment lifts Bronson's spirits even as the past lingers. Norma's frail memory adds ambiguity to the commitment.

The group reaches the marina where Caine's yacht is moored, and he sails off toward the horizon. The voyage becomes a symbolic escape, leaving behind the life they fled. It marks a quiet departure from their immediate pursuit of freedom.

In the closing moments, Bronson thanks Lin by recounting her father's restraint and offering his gratitude. Norma returns to the retirement home but does not recognise Bronson, a sign of her illness and the distance between memory and love. Angus still wears his medal, and Bruce has become his father's caregiver, signaling the changed roles that freedom has forced on them.