Movie Review: Australia

AUSTRALIA
Main Players: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, David Wenham, et al.
Calling the shots: Baz Luhrmann
Running time: 165mins
What's it about? In the Northern Territory just as WW2 had begun, Lady Ashley arrives from England to take over her husband’s cattle property. With the help of the Drover and a half-caste boy, she soon falls for the way of the Australian life and brings the property back to prosperity. Drama and tragedy promises to follow.

What did I think? Can I just say that my arse is fine and I didn’t even take a toilet break. That’s for those naysayers who say the movie is too long etc, etc. It is a long movie, but it is made so well you can overlook it.

It is better though if you can appreciate the “over-the-top”-ness and the melodrama involved rather than laugh or mock it. The acting is often borderline corny and a lot of the lines delivered with exaggerated accents (Aussie or otherwise). The lavish background looks majestic but definitely computerized and the set pieces are often dramatized for full effect (see the Kangaroo and Stampede scenes). The result is a fantastic combination of drama, comedy, love, tragedy and emotion.

There is a certain grandness to proceedings. And as I mentioned early the story will grab your attention and the time will pass quicker than you think. Luhrmann also handles every aspect of it with respect and shows love for his home country.

It literally stars a who’s who of Aussie male actors. They are all cast pretty well. Hugh Jackman earns his sexiest men alive tag in this film and it is quite possibly Nicole Kidman’s best role. Brandon Walters who plays Nullah, the half-caste boy, is wonderful and his is quite adorable as well. David Wenham plays against type and does it well.

This movie has completely bombed in the states and it’s not hard to see why. It hasn’t got the wide spreading appeal that will attract audiences. Instead it’s more like a beautiful and wonderfully crafted tribute to the country will all call home. Australia.

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