A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Absent Without Leave starring Craig McLachlan and Katrina Hobbs, is a lovely story and one which generally really like. To my knowledge the film has only ever been seen in the UK once, on BBC2 i think and since that time i have searched in vain for a copy, over ten years. The film centres around James and Daisy as they struggle to be together. Craig Mclachlan is superb in this and he generally has a feel for the part. Katrina Hobbs is a good supporting actress. last week my girlfriend found it for me. alas it was on an NTSC Video all the way from the USA. I am now selling it as I have been able to copy it to DVD, which is great because i now have a copy of the film that I Love. A true love story.

James Edwards, play-write and star of this movie, died this week (January 2007). He was 89. Turns out he was only ever pleased that his story, however modest, was made into a movie (and that he sat in a full Cinema, albeit somewhat overwhelmed, to see it for himself). This story was faithfully true to real-life events despite the fact that it might have seemed sentimental. I'd recommend watching this movie. It reflects a moment in time in NZ when conscription separated families, as it does always. Jim's story is as relevant today as it was in NZ's war-time history. Craig McLaughlin's performance is faithful to the character he portrays. He is calm despite the frustrations of his predicament - I wonder if he knew of the genuine commitment Jim felt for Daisy despite their youth?

A previous comment on AWOL stated that the film was stereotypical, empty and pretty much lame with a typical story.This is such a false accusation. The film is based on the ACTUAL EVENTS of James Edwards and Daisy who went AWOL. This isn't just a work of fiction created to wow audience. My Great Uncle wrote this story as dedication to his wife Daisy about what he had to go through to be by her side.The movie while not spectacular is enjoyable, authentic and has an innonce about it that captures real life desperation.Watch it. Learn about it. Don't just write about it in your own arrogance.

The problem with this movie wasn't in the story. This was, I felt, a very touching story about a man who chooses to stay with his wife even after a miscarriage (when the whole reason for the marriage was the pregnancy). A sappy testament to the power of love, the director (John Laing) had a perfect story for the Lifetime channel, especially since it was based on a true story. The acting was good enough, and being shot in New Zealand, the scenery was beautiful. The film failed, I believe, on the fact that the way in which the story was told would have made a great TV show, perhaps done over two weeks, or, if all at once, with some commercials to break it up. It was, unfortunately, a feature length film, and I think there needs to be a difference, and in this there was none. Rating: 18/40