Australia
Movie details
An epic adventure set in Northern Australia before World War II, it concentrates on an English aristocrat who inherits a massive cattle station. When cattle barons from England conspire to take her land, she teams up with a country stock-man to drive her herd of 2,000 cattle across the vast unforgiving country... only to experience the Japanese bombing of Darwin.
Director Baz Luhrmann
Stars Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, David Wenham, Bryan Brown
Violence and coarse language
Our review
Baz Luhrmann's epic movie "Australia" has had its fair share of hype this year.
From a run of on-set pregnancies (hello Sunday Rose) to claims Luhrmann wouldn't have the movie edited in time for the premiere (he has, I've seen it) the buzz around the world has been huge. "Australia" the Movie is arguably one of the most anticipated movies in Australian cinematic history. And that's without even taking into consideration what the movie might actually be like.
Set in 1939, just as Germany is invading Poland and starting the Second World War, Nicole Kidman stars as Lady Sarah Ashley, a British aristocrat whose husband has bought Faraway Downs, a cattle station in the Northern Territory of Australia. She travels to the other side of the world to convince him that he needs to sell up, only to find chaos, cooked books and a dead husband.
She's paired up with Drover (Hugh Jackman) the moment she sets foot on NT soil and while the two share a tepid friendship, romance inevitably blossoms. But it's not without its challenges, as the two clash over indigenous Australian traditions. And as WWII creeps ever closer to Darwin, Australia is under attack.
The movie storyline is pretty compelling, and Kidman and Jackman give strong performances, but the outright winner is Brandon Walters who plays Nullah a 'creamy' (part aboriginal, part white) kid who steals Lady Ashley's heart and the film from its blockbusting stars. But as for sexual chemistry ... Kidman and Jackman look more like best mates than lovers.
Kidman also displays a great sense of comedy - and a reasonable British accent (think Renee Zellweger in "Bridget Jones"), while Jackman takes Outback rugged to a whole new level. And interestingly enough, Baz Luhrmann manages to mesh one of the biggest movies about Australia with the "Wizard Of OZ", which at worst is a great play on words, but is also a recurring theme through "Australia" the Movie.
All up, believe the hype about "Australia" the movie - it's sure to be a box-office blockbuster. An epic in every sense of the word at almost three hours long, it weaves Australia's history together and is a movie for all the family - from action addicts to chick-flick fans. And as for the ending and the claims Drover dies .... we'll you'll just have to see it to find out."
If you're reading this in Australia, go and see the movie, not least for the amazing cinematography - we know we live in a stunning place and now the world will get to see it.
And if you're reading this outside Australia - where the bloody hell are you?
8/10
Claire Gould
In compiling yourTime content, HWW relies upon information supplied by a number of sources. yourTime content is supplied on the basis that while HWW believes that all the information in it will be correct at time of publishing, it does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.
Your review
We welcome the posting of fair and honest comments on all kinds of subjects on ourbrisbane.com. Read our Comments user guidelines to find out more. When posting a comment, you agree to be bound by our terms and conditions.
You must be a member of ourbrisbane.com in order to post a comment. Not a member? Sign up now.
What a Shame!!!!!
I had such high expectation from that movie, but I must say that I was disappointed.
The movie is soooooooooo Americanised. Except for few “Criikey” and “Bloody Hell” it feels like another American movie…..fake, over-acted and shallow.
Nicole’s acting is so forced and un-natural, and her relationship with the Drover does not feel like true epic love.
I do agree that Brandon Walters steals the show; he is so lovely and adorable, he is the only “real” Australian among this massive cast.
Well, on a good note – Hugh Jackman is such an eye candy - it is worthwhile going to see the movie just to enjoy him with his tight pants and rugged sexy look.