Australia Movie
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Storyline
TAGLINES PLOT SUMMARY
Set in northern Australia before World War II, an English aristocrat who inherits a sprawling ranch reluctantly pacts with a stock-man in order to protect her new property from a takeover plot. As the pair drive 2,000 head of cattle over unforgiving landscape, they experience the bombing of Darwin, Australia, by Japanese forces firsthand.
| Bryan Brown | King Carney |
| David Gulpilil | King George |
| Hugh Jackman | The Drover |
| Jacek Koman | Ivan |
| Ben Mendelsohn | Dutton |
| Barry Otto | Administrator |
| Jack Thompson | Kipling Flynn |
| Brandon Walters | Nullah |
| David Wenham | Neil Fletcher |
| Essie Davis | Katherine |
| Nicole Kidman | Lady Sarah Ashley |
| Baz Luhrmann |
6.80 out of 10 (35947 votes)
Visitor Reviews
I sing you to me.
posted on 28 Aug 2009Let me get this out of the way up-front, this is a long movie, too long. It takes quite a dedication to watch the whole thing. My wife and I saw the DVD and took a 30-minute break in the middle. But still, it is a fine movie and we enjoyed it.It begins in the late 1930s, and continues through the early 1940s when the USA then Australia got sucked into the war by the Japanese attacks.Nicole Kidman is Lady Sarah Ashley, who travels to north Australia to check up on her husband, reportedly enjoying himself with the locals at the expense of their marriage vows. He owns the "Faraway Downs" ranch, almost 2Million acres, and this time of year it is hot and dry. She arrives in traditional British costume, not particularly appropriate for the season or the setting.Her husband send a part-time employee, Hugh Jackman as Drover, to meet her at the port. But soon her husband turns up dead, a spear through his heart, and the townspeople believe it is an old native they call King George. But not all is as it seems.Now Sarah has to take control of the ranch, and immediately fires the head ranch hand when she finds out he has been scheming against her. But she plans to run the ranch with Drover as her ranch manager but he is a rolling stone, he doesn't want to be tied down, he wants to do his horse drives and cattle drives.Meanwhile Bryan Brown as King Carney, owner of the competing Carney ranch, wants to buy her ranch and send her back to England. The fired Faraway ranch boss, David Wenham as Neil Fletcher, now works for Carney and is a key figure in the plot to shut Faraway Downs out of the military contract for beef. So the first half of the movie involves Sarah and Drover and their rag-tag band attempting to drive 1500 head of cattle down to the port and load them before Carney's cattle.The second half of the movie focuses on the new partnership to run Faraway Downs, and then the elements of war brought to northern Australia. Along the way a love story develops between Drover and Sarah.A pleasant surprise in the movie is young native, about age 8, Brandon Walters as Nullah, a half-breed. He doesn't know who his father is (we do!) and his mother dies in an unfortunate accident while they hide from the authorities trying to find him and take him away to a camp for half-breeds. The natives have many unusual beliefs and one of them is that when they want someone to come back to them they say "I will sing you to me." A type of song which they believe will bring the separated one back to them.The boy's grandfather is dark native David Gulpilil as King George. Interesting is that he was the lead walkabout character in the 1971 film "Walkabout", and a theme here also is for young Nullah to have his own walkabout to grow into his young manhood.The movie has been compared to "Gone With the Wind" and "Pearl Harbor" in both its length and its superimposing a love story on a war.Good movie, if a bit long.
Comment on Original Music
posted on 26 Aug 2009David Hirschfelder, the composer of original music for this film, does some interesting things in the score which merit a comment. The most notable item is his use of a musical pun employed throughout the score. He borrows -- literally quotes -- the opening passage of an aria from Cantata Number 208 by Johann Sebastian Bach. The name of the aria is Schafe konnen sicher weiden or Sheep May Safely Graze -- and we know what country has traditionally been known for its sheep herding. The "Sheep" theme becomes a motif which Hirschfelder uses as musical material throughout the film. At first I thought the motif was a Leitmotiv for the character, Nullah, or for Australian Aboriginal culture in general, but it later became apparent that it was a motif used ad libitum. The motif is developed like a tone poem a la "thematic transformation" as much as a film director would allow -- that is, the music must not be too interesting that it actually distracts from the unfolding drama, but merely underscores the emotional and dramatic content of the narrative.In addition to the Bach musical quote and development, there are also a few quotes of the Australian national song, "Waltzing Matilda," but because it is better known, it is quoted less frequently. Finally there is the use of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" which is an explicit part of the story. Aside from the interesting musical quotations and some thematic transformation, the overall style is typical of original music composition for the cinema today. Climactic scenes such as an aerial bombardment are musically highlighted less by original musical devices and more by "pulling out the stops" as it were by employing more orchestrated layering and employing a synthesized (?) chorus. It becomes musical cliché. Gone are the days of Leonard Bernstein and "On the Waterfront." But hats off for the creative quotation and use of musical humour. It almost rivals a different case -- a musical -- where an on-stage character was dragged off to be castrated to the musical quotation Richard Rodgers made of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker."
Agonizing Mess
posted on 24 Aug 2009After a decent general overall rating from IMDb, I thought I'd take a plunge and go see this movie without reading some screening reviews. What a monumental mistake. Where to begin....First and foremost the director failed miserably - the movie rings phony, fake, and flat all at once while at an excruciating pace - I tried to fall asleep but the bass was maxed out in the theater. You can tell the director is wholly self-satisfied with what is a mess - I guess this is what happens when a director goes awry. Besides the pacing, there was awful, awful, awful wanton rip-offs of the Wizard of Oz in score and visuals. I mean, Jeezus, get your own music/movie for gawd's sake. The romance is forced and pathetically pandering, the boy actor also forced upon us as a gimmick and obvious plot device.... just ughhhhh! I'd thought No Country for Old Men was bad - at least it ended. This movie is confused vapid junk with cameras saying look at our beloved beautiful stars and romance without inciting or deserving any shred of emotions. I wanted to walk out but my wife was with me. She later agreed I should have. Be warned if you dare to watch it at least make it at home with a fast-forward button. It had to be the single worst in-cinema movie I've ever seen - there's a lesson in that...
Hugh Jackman is not as attractive as Russell Crowe. Fun film nonetheless.
posted on 22 Aug 2009A Boxing Day release was perhaps not the best day for Bazmark Films and our cinema was rather empty. The start of the movie was good and the costume design was wonderful. Nichol Kidman is a brilliant actress and was so good at playing Lady Ashley, I loved her accent. Much better than the beefcake playing the unattractive Drover, he should have been so much sexier, like Russell Crowe? Max Cullen was great, the little Carney boy was worthy of an Oscar. The film was particularly suspect when all the cattle were rushing towards the cliff edge and some fell off, with their silly little legs: that CGI was like something from Planet Of the Apes, it just didn't look real. On the other hand the Japanese aircraft and the bombing later on looked good. (Although apparently there were far less planes in the attack on Australia!)As for my stepfather, he is speechless!
ouch....it hurts soooo bad
posted on 22 Aug 2009absolutely positively the worst movie i have seen since "the fog". for 3 simple reasons A. I couldn't handle the over the top acting! i am genuinely a fan of Jackman and Kidman and this was a disgrace for anyone who has been known as an A list actor. B. The script is a JOKE!!! who are you trying to fool here? a Group of 6 year olds in a "sponge bob square pants" trance? Because that is how the script treats the audience. i was in awe of what we being foretold.... C. SCREENPLAY SCREENPLAY SCREENPLAY!!!!! seriously? the car scenes? they were not needed, empty dialogue, and portrayed extremely poorly. if you can make it passed the absolute crap begging then you might be slightly entertained by the rest of the movie, but be forewarned of the terrible plot, and execution of portraying what should have been an epic film. but wasn't...not even in the slightest...
Trouble down under...
posted on 22 Aug 2009If there was one convention of a movie that people might call a certainty its how it's structured. We expect the standard opening, we enjoy a good middle, and we demand a exciting pay-off. Baz Luhrmann however has decided to ignore these conventions completely. Australia is a mess of flawed ambition, a beautiful mess what with some unmatched cinematography, but a mess none the less. While any other film would be separated into three acts as mentioned above Australia plays like three separate movies each taking an hour, each failing to do justice to their surroundings. What's a shame is two of these acts are downright awful. Not since "The English Patient" have I seen a movie so pretentious that it can't even settle on what genre it wants to fall into. For an hour were subject to a convoluted drama that manages to incorporate some extremely uncomfortable elements of comedy that stick out like a sore thumb. For all its flaws the orchestral score is magnificent, it captures the emotion unlike any other element the movie has to offer. Your preconceptions of what a Baz Luhrmann's movie is will be challenged once more. None of the characterisation present in "Moulin Rouge" is present here. Each character is played to such blatant stereotypes that it borderlines on offensive.Set against the scenic backdrop of pre-World War II Australia, Baz Luhrmann's romantic period adventure stars Nicole Kidman as an English aristocrat who inherits a sprawling ranch, and Hugh Jackman as the rough-and-tumble cattle driver who helps protect her property from greedy English cattle barons. As the pair attempt to herd 2,000 head of cattle hundreds of miles across the treacherous Australian outback, they are stunned to bear witness to the bombing of Darwin by Japanese forces -- who just a few months prior launched a devastating attack on Pearl Harbour.What Baz Luhrmann fails to comprehend is that to create a film that grips its audience and delivers what we expect, it need to be fleshed out better. Despite the movie being three hours long we never get insight into the psychosis of these characters, each and every one of them remain disposable, forgettable and if I'm being perfectly honest rather comical. None of which is helped by any of the actors who a doing nothing more than going through the motions. Australia's flaws mainly originate from its inability to sustain a consistent story. Many might argue that a story of this calibre can barley manages an hour and a half let alone the three hours Luhrmann set it to. Its in this unfortunate method that "Australia" really stumbles. Baz Luhrmann's ambition has left the story bloated, overstretched and nothing more than a gorgeous mess.Australia fails to be anything more than an endurance test of good intentions and tangled ideas, exploited facts and fuzzy fictions, where the performances, like the plot, are slapped onto the beautiful backgrounds with the broadest - and clumsiest - of strokes. Built on lavish vistas and impeccable production, Australia is unfortunately burdened with thinly drawn characters and a lack of originality.Verdict: As beautiful as it may be, Baz Luhrmann's ambition got the better of him. Instead of focusing on the development of his character he opted for style over substance and made a film that, while a treat for the eyes, flails to evoke emotion even from the most sensitive viewer. For my overall rating I give Australia a 2/5.
Despite the Clichés it's GOOD!!
posted on 20 Aug 2009I liked this movie. Despite the abundant clichés and caricatures - and there are many - this movie works. There is magnificent scenery, the story is good, it has heart and it keeps moving. The real star of this movie is Brandon Walters who plays the young aboriginal boy. He is the catalyst in this movie. He even makes the forever glacial Nicole Kidman look human. Hugh Jackman seems to be always flexing his muscular torso.Without Brandon Walters unifying this story; it would have been just a cattle round-up and a Harlequin romance between Hugh and the formidable Nicole. And while I am bashing Nicole, could not another actress have been chosen for this role who could convey a little more tenderness? There were a few instances where the special effects during the cattle drive looked overly manipulated and phony -CGI effects overkill. And how could I not like a movie that pays homage to the 'Wizard of Oz'. Brandon plays the role of Dorothy guiding us along the journey.
Vintage Hollywood Flavor. Thumbs Up!
posted on 20 Aug 2009Once in a while, I love a movie that flashes back to vintage Hollywood and delivers a big sweeping film with just the right amount of cheese and Australia is just such a movie. It's bold, drawn out and down right enjoyable. Both Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman are perfectly cast and deliver exactly what is needed for each of their characters. The story takes a while to get going but delivers enough (especially with beautiful cinematography) to keep you interested. The underlying message of intolerance works quite well. I also love how the movie picks up steam and finishes very strong. The only serious negative about this grand film is the use of the boy as narrator. From the opening scene all I could think about is why did they get Jar Jar Binks to narrate this film? After that thought was allowed to settle, even the boy's mannerisms reminded me of that annoying Star Wars character. Looking past that, I really enjoyed this film.
Not A Movie I Would Recommend
posted on 20 Aug 2009Acting on a high level. Footage of Australia not very impressive. Could have called upon National Geographic for some hints! Scenes of the Japanese raid done very, very poorly; file footage blended in without thought of continuity with unimpressive minitures Story line choppy. Do go for the Love story, what of it is developed poorly. Color not very intense and vibrant. Many of the scenes are short and rarely blend into the scene that follows. Cinema photography on long shots left much to be desired. Little or no effort for fade in fade out. Wardrobe for Nicole Kidman seemed to be off the rack and little attention paid to era attire. Too bad, I spent almost 3 hours waiting for the movie to improve.
The best Luhrmann's achievement yet (even if you did't like Mouling Rouge)
posted on 20 Aug 2009This is Baz Luhrmann's best film yet.I didn't like his previous films at all, but this is a true epic tale (with a generous budget) a la Luhrmann that works pretty well actually.Don't expect any serious take in his characters and story, but instead its like a fairly and magical story with amazing photography and some surreals takes of dramatics conflicts that is fine for the films mood.The second part of the film tries to be serious, and looses part of its original's charm, and I think maybe it should have been titled "Aussie lost generation" or even "Darwin" instead of "Australia" (cmon, it doesn't even show nor Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania or Bondi Beach!!!).Kidman and Jackmans are fine in their roles, but more dramatic evolution of secondary characters would have been adequate for its epic take.The scene where the boy stops the cows was simply magic and justifies watching the film only for that!
Dreadfully awful
posted on 20 Aug 2009This fictional tale of a cattle drive & the bombing of Darwin, Australia, with a cast & crew of all Australians, is without a doubt one of the worst movies that I have ever seen. I have been seeing films since about 1935.Baz Luhrmann co-wrote & directed this cliché ridden mess. It has about every single Western Movie cliché imaginable, Even the scenery in a few key scenes is right out of movies made in Monument Valley.The Legendary John Ford used the same clichés in every western he made,BUT he was a filmmaker of the first order. Luhrmann is a weak copycat.In 1952 there was a film KANGAROO from director Lewis Milesstonem made entirely in Australia & in some of the same areas as this.It was pure fiction BUT way better acted & made. It told a beautiful family story with humour & adventure.In 1943 there was a Charles Laughton drama, also pure fiction with a finale of the bombing of Darwin, It too was more believable than this & it was made in the MGM studio. Title was The Man From Down Under. also more enjoyable than this $ 130,000,000 mess.The actors here are all Austrailan & all usually five first rate performances. Hugh Jackman & Nicole Kidman are the two leads, & as usual at first are at odds, lo & behold they fall in love, How many times have the likes of John Wayne &* Maureen O'Hara have done this,Jack Thompson is the lovable drunk who---shade of Thomas Mitchell dies heroically, how many times we seen this.Brandon Walters an 11 year old mixed race child narrates & is featured throughout the film, his first role, He was very cute and brave like all juvenile actors were. reminded me of Dean Stockwell.I did not mind the process cinematography as much as I did the bad way it was done, You easily could tell & now-a-days that is unforgivable.We do see one galloping kangaroo, obviously a stock shot.The excessively long ending is about the bombing of Darwin & the false notion of the Japanese landing on an island off Darwin.The never got passed Papua New Guinea.There is no way I can even slightly recommend this piece of S**t.Ratings: 1-- out of 4--- 22 points --out of 100----IMDB 1-- out of 10
Entertaining film from a great director
posted on 20 Aug 2009Baz Luhrmanns 'Australia' is an entertaining film and always keeps you gripped, which is something to say considering the film is 160 minutes long... At no point is the viewer bored, as the movies moves along at a steady pace, with bits of fun, comedy, a sprinkle of action, and great shots of the Outback. The story is simple yet joyful, and the music and direction are superb.I can't really comment on the accuracy of the events unfolding in the movie, based on the real life bombings of Darwin by the Japanese during the Second World War, the Australian cattle industry, Aborigine life, and the story of the 'Stolen Generations', because honestly, I haven't a clue. But as a viewer watching a movie, I loved this one, because its a nice movie you feel happy you watched.Baz Luhrmann is a great director, something he's proved way back in 2001 with the absolutely brilliant Moulin Rouge, which remains among my favorite movies of all time. He's made the entire film gel perfectly, with brilliant visuals, a nice story and characters who you get attached to. Although this movie isn't quite what Moulin Rouge was, its still great and totally worth it.8/10
A naked look at older Australian society
posted on 18 Aug 2009I was not sure quite what to expect when the movie began. Diane and I knew nothing about the film other than a few bad comments from the media but as to the plot, we had not a clue accept that it was filmed in the Kimberley here in Western Australia. I was, however, immediately taken by the opening and thereafter we both watched and enjoyed, on the one hand, a rousing good tale well told about a little known area of the world and on the other hand a deeply serious look at the people that were the original people of this continent, the Aboriginal people.Both Diane and I were struck by this same theme, a theme not mentioned by any commentator so far read on IMDb. Of course, there have been other films dealing with the topic of the Aboriginal people but this movie, from beginning to end, included the on-screen presence of Aboriginal people who represented the true biracial state of northwestern Australia. We believe that Luhrmann understood this racial mix but there are far too many in this country, including our former prime minister (John Howard) who refused to recognize this fact and as a result consigned the beauty and insight of this ancient culture to the contemporary dustbin.I am not a believer in religion or spirituality of any kind but I also confess to a certain confusion regarding the apparent "magic" of Aboriginal society. There is an underlying mysteriousness of much of that society and I applauded Luhrmann for bringing it to the screen; it is an aspect of this culture that is the oldest on the planet, predating the Egyptians and the Chinese by thouisands of years. Luhrmann even has the nerve to take on historical dirt that many feel should be left under the carpet. For instance, Drover's brother in law who is refused service in the pub because of his race; the mother who drowns saving her son from the police who would take him from her and the shame of racial sex that permeates the entire script.This is a strong film and should not be dismissed as so many others have because there are underlying themes in this movie that other directors have not explored.
Stunning Documentary about the Mysterious Australia (Part I)
posted on 14 Aug 2009Welcome to an island shrouded in mystery and make-believe. Welcome to an island where Summer is Winter, Winter is Summer, Spring is some new season you've never even heard of, and Fall is just gone altogether. Welcome to an island that inexplicably emerged from the sea about 250 years ago.Welcome to Australia.Recent Gallup polls have determined that 72% of Americans don't believe Australia is a real continent. Amongst them, there are two schools of thought. Some believe that Australia is a desolate wasteland ruled by highly intelligent (yet very savage and cruel) beasts and pseudo- futuristic motorcycle gangs.Others claim that Australia doesn't exist, and is an imaginary place invented by the British Empire some 200 years ago.If you've ever wondered if Australia is real, recent blockbuster documentary "Australia" is for you.Within the first few minutes of the film, Director Baz Luhrmann finally sets the debate to rest: the island of Australia is as real as you or I. With what appears to be complete disregard for their own safety and self-preservation, Luhrmann and his film crew actually go there.Upon arrival, Lurhmann interviews Native Australian (called Aborigine) Hugh Jackman, an Australian historian, who sheds light on the reasons behind the Northern Hemisphere's misconceptions of his homeland."Many people out there believe that Australia was made-up by the British Empire, and with good reason," says Jackman. "The British Empire was notorious for making-up islands; they did Christmas Island, Easter Island, and of course, Ireland. It's no wonder that people thought Australia was just another hoax."Estimates for when Australia was actually discovered range between 1898 all the way up to 1962. While many countries lay claim to Australia, none are able to prove that they discovered it. What we do know for sure is that Australia was completely uninhabited until it was discovered, which was definitely no more than 110 years ago."Jackman, however, is unable to settle whether Australia is a continent, or just a really big island."Well, it's very large, which is a telling characteristic of a continent," says Jackman. "On the other hand, it is an island." This part of the debate will, undoubtedly, continue among scholars for many years to come.Read the exciting conclusion, involving Nicole Kidman, pseudo-futuristic motorcycle gangs, and bloodthirsty Kangaroos only at http://guywhoreviewsmovies.blogspot.com/2008/12/australia.html
Australia takes its place among the best films of all time
posted on 12 Aug 2009With brilliance, passion and determination, Baz Luhrmann has created a masterpiece, Australia. The performances by the actors, especially Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, David Gulpilil, and David Wenham are examples of total commitment to a role and an art. However, it would be remiss not to mention the fresh and captivating performance of Brandon Walters who takes full hold of one's heart and does not let it go until he has broken it and healed it again. With grace, style and honor, the story of Australia has been told with a vision that revisits the techniques of the great film makers of old and enjoins them with the fresh and new that Luhrmann brings; giving us a cinematographic feast that will long live in our memories.
Great movie in my opinion!
posted on 12 Aug 2009I was pleasantly surprised by this movie - as long as you aren't concerned about true history and are in the mood for a long romantic adventure with turmoil mixed in and a little silly humor, it's great.Besides, who can resist Hugh Jackman? He is very talented and of course plays the rough and tumble guy you expect him to be, with a soft spot. Even Nicole Kidman isn't too bad. There is one racy scene and one instance I can remember with bad language. Just be prepared for most of the story to be told from a small local boy's point of view.If you liked the book "Gone with the Wind"; it seems to me this would be a good movie for you!
The Wizard of Aussie-land Conjures Something Shockingly Good
posted on 10 Aug 2009And now it's time for a story about our friend Baz. Mr. Luhrmann holds the dubious honor of directing the only film I have ever walked out on in the theater. After fifteen minutes of the insipid kitsch of his "Moulin Rouge!" my friends and I bolted. About a year later I watched the film in its entirety to give it a fair chance and declared it the worst film of all time. His nauseating, hyper-realized, quick-cut style of editing and boiling down of every story arc to its rotten simplistic core was the most obnoxious trend in film-making I could ever imagine. Well, Baz went home to Australia to think long and hard about where he was headed as a director. After a seven year hiatus, he conjured up a huge budget, invited his muse Nicole Kidman for the ride, whipped up every conceivable cliché from epic movie history into a slow boil and spewed the sprawling tale of his homeland onto the screen in "Australia." "Australia" has an opening fifteen minutes that are cringe-worthy. It appeared Baz learned nothing from his walkabout and was delivering a mega-storm of comical kitsch that almost had me heading for the exit. But there was something oddly magical about this unwieldy dust storm of muddled Australian history, Aboriginal mysticism, and Outback adventure that prompted me to stick with the film and see if Baz had learned any new tricks. Much to my surprise, Mr. Luhrmann did, and it's not just the slow-mo cam or the sweeping shots of the Australian Northern Territory that Luhrmann warmed to. It turns out when your heart is in the right place, clichés can work and become dramatically engaging. Luhrmann not only attempts to create his own modern version of "Gone With the Wind" with the cattle ranch at Faraway Downs substituting for the plantation at Tara, but he also desires to heal the racial wounds of his entire nation. He's a man madly in love with movies and recklessly drawn to his homeland's history. His handling of Australia's part in WWII and the racial strife between Australia's Aborigines and the English settlers may strike some as condescending and trite, but those would be the people missing the point of the film.At its core, like Tarsem's "The Fall", this "Australia" is about creating a good story and the mythos of film. Whereas "The Fall" presented us dazzling images we had never seen before, "Australia" presents us a dizzying array of epic filmdom's greatest hits. There's a rousing cliffhanging cattle stampede, a romantic kiss in the rain, a not so subtle "Wizard of Oz" motif, a Japanese bombing of Darwin, a daring rescue of orphans, and a weepy reunion in the wake of tragedy. There's comedy, thrills, drama, romance, and a message. No stone is left unturned on this vast continent, and the most wonderful thing about it is if you can forgive the opening fifteen minutes of dreck, the remaining two and half hours work splendidly as grand-scale entertainment.Ignore the critics and leave your prejudices at the door. The plot of the film is irrelevant as any story arc is merely an excuse for Baz Luhrmann to unleash another sumptuous image from his dreams of Australia's past. And though the characters are drawn in broad strokes, know that the performances are uniformly finely wrought, with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman complimenting each other nicely and proving to be especially adept acting through the wildly shifting tones. By framing the story through the narration of Nullah, a half-caste Aborigine boy played sympathetically by Brandon Walters, Luhrmann lets the audience know that this film is about telling your own story and dreaming big dreams. In doing so he re-imagines the history of his Australia as a fable and with the help of a little movie magic adds a relevant layer to the mythos of film. Crickey, that sounds like a pretty good story to me.
A wonderful film!
posted on 10 Aug 2009No, this movie is not perfect. Firstly, I'll say that. But it is WONDERFUL.Nicole is fantastic and Hugh is very good too. There is a strong supporting cast, and Brandon Walters is BEAUTIFUL. Seriously, you will love this boy and want to take him home and keep him forever and ever.The story is good because it is not about one thing, but many important things. And of course, the cinematography is superb.Just don't listen to the bored people on the forums who just sit around bagging the film when they haven't even seen it. Trust me, it's a really good film. GO SEE IT. You won't be sorry!
This movie is all over the place
posted on 10 Aug 2009For the first 15 minutes, you might think that this will be a silly comedy, with its opening slapstick shenanigans. But then, once it gets going, it looks like it's gonna be an old-fashioned western, with Kidman in the Barbara Stanwyck role. Jackman appears bare-chested for you ladies, but does a cattleman need to look like a weightlifter? It just makes him look like he has a pin head.If you are looking for subtlety, you must go elsewhere -- there will be no doubt to the goodness of the good guys and the badness of the bad guys. I think I have to go back to a stinker like "Twister" to find an apt comparison.But wait, it's also a romance! Then Kidman's character pulls the same line that Streep did in "Out of Africa", giving Jackman an ultimatum. But don't worry, that wasn't serious! But wait, now it turns into a war movie! With only 4 writers, they apparently couldn't get the money to sign on a 5th who could contribute a sci-fi subplot. Still, we get "Rabbit Proof Fence" Lite -- hey, we need the serious historical injustice thing to tie the whole thing together. Except that most of us will sorta forget social relevance, what with all this other visual stimulation going on. There's a lot of really obvious CGI in the movie, too, which makes an already unreal movie look just plain cartoony, but there aren't any dinosaurs in sight.Acting? No, Luhrmann insists on overacting.In the first scenes, the ranch looks rundown and lifeless. But, hey, once rainy season hits, it's a lush oasis. Gee, that's amazing!Correct me if I'm wrong, you native Australians. But does a small child really go on walkabout? I was under the impression that was a rite of passage to become a man, not someone still waiting for the onset of puberty.Now, when it would not make any difference whatsoever, would the bad guy really kill his own child? Luhrmann doesn't think we will think past the big cheer that will go up from the crowd when an aboriginal spear finds its mark.This movie is almost 3 hours long. Pretentious? By the lowered standards set by "Titanic", no. Just bad.
A big ol' helpin' of corn, but as tasty as it gets
posted on 30 Aug 2009A lot of movies have pretensions about what they mean or why they were made.This is a character movie, plain and simple, and the plot is a device for them to have their moments. The great part is, those moments sing as true as any in film. Once in a while we enjoy a performance that is pitch perfect, but you stop and look at your watch to see how much more of the song is left. That is Australia.By turns, affecting, and others laughable, but always entertaining.If you take it too seriously, you will be disappointed. In fact, the only advice I'll give is to take the pervasive song into account, and watch it with the same mindset at "Wizard of Oz", and you'll be completely entertained.