At the heart of "Australia" is the belief that each human being needs a story to tell in order to continue existing. Apparently trying to prove his existence, director Baz Luhrmann ("Moulin Rouge") reteams with Nicole Kidman to tell his most ambitious story yet, in a grand epic about his homeland Australia.
The country plays a major role in the film. Set during the explosive brink of World War II, Luhrmann used the land's rugged terrain as a vast canvas to tell the romantic story between Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) and Drover (Hugh Jackman).
The movie concentrated on the Northern territory of Australia called Darwin. According to the film's opening scene, "Darwin was a land of crocodiles, cattle barons, and warrior chiefs where adventure and romance was a way of life." Darwin is also a place where part Aboriginal children were taken from their families by force and assimilated into white society. They would later become known as the "stolen generation." "Australia" is their story.
Narrated by Nullah (Brandon Walters), a kid who's part Aboriginal and part Caucasian, "Australia" is divided into three parts. The first part introduces Lady Sarah Ashley into the story and her headstrong journey from London, England to Darwin, Australia in order to confront her husband who she suspects is cheating on her.
Reluctantly guiding Lady Ashley is Drover, the rough and tumble cattleman whose ruggedness is the direct opposite of Sarah's refined nature. The film's first act culminated into an action-packed ride when Lady Ashley and company drive 1,500 head of cattle across Australia's breathtaking yet brutal landscape.
If you suspect that I love the first act of the movie, you are absolutely correct! Cinematographer Mandy Walker excites us with her majestic, sweeping vistas, and Luhrmann and fellow screenwriters Stuart Beattie, Ronald Harwood, and Richard Flanagan create an engaging opener.
But crikey, all hell breaks loose for the movie in the second act. The middle part of "Australia" is full of clichés that each new character succumbs to being pawns just to move the story forward. The mechanics of the narrative are so conventional that viewers will know exactly who's going to die before it's even revealed.
By the time the third act arrives, with the Japanese unleashing their fire on Darwin, you are ready to give up. But thank heavens for Kidman and Jackman, and the precocious presence of Walters he's the Best Child Actor of the year! There's a very tender moment between Kidman and Walters involving the actress singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to the boy. Yes, "Wizard of Oz" becomes the heart of the movie.
I also enjoyed the detailed description of the Aboriginal culture told by the presence of the mysterious tribal magic man known as King George (David Gulpilil). This part of the story energizes the movie.
"Australia" is not a perfect film but there are many elements within the movie that will bring joy to most viewers. Kidman and Jackman have believable chemistry necessary for a romantic film. And Jackman, fresh from being crowned the Sexiest Man Alive by People's Magazine showcases his rugged de rigueur.
At 165 minutes, "Australia" will test your patience. It's long, but believe me when I say, the film is also engaging. You cannot discount Luhrmann for his commendable homage to his beloved Australia. And for that, "Australia" gets 3 Oz kisses
The country plays a major role in the film. Set during the explosive brink of World War II, Luhrmann used the land's rugged terrain as a vast canvas to tell the romantic story between Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) and Drover (Hugh Jackman).
The movie concentrated on the Northern territory of Australia called Darwin. According to the film's opening scene, "Darwin was a land of crocodiles, cattle barons, and warrior chiefs where adventure and romance was a way of life." Darwin is also a place where part Aboriginal children were taken from their families by force and assimilated into white society. They would later become known as the "stolen generation." "Australia" is their story.
Narrated by Nullah (Brandon Walters), a kid who's part Aboriginal and part Caucasian, "Australia" is divided into three parts. The first part introduces Lady Sarah Ashley into the story and her headstrong journey from London, England to Darwin, Australia in order to confront her husband who she suspects is cheating on her.
Reluctantly guiding Lady Ashley is Drover, the rough and tumble cattleman whose ruggedness is the direct opposite of Sarah's refined nature. The film's first act culminated into an action-packed ride when Lady Ashley and company drive 1,500 head of cattle across Australia's breathtaking yet brutal landscape.
If you suspect that I love the first act of the movie, you are absolutely correct! Cinematographer Mandy Walker excites us with her majestic, sweeping vistas, and Luhrmann and fellow screenwriters Stuart Beattie, Ronald Harwood, and Richard Flanagan create an engaging opener.
But crikey, all hell breaks loose for the movie in the second act. The middle part of "Australia" is full of clichés that each new character succumbs to being pawns just to move the story forward. The mechanics of the narrative are so conventional that viewers will know exactly who's going to die before it's even revealed.
By the time the third act arrives, with the Japanese unleashing their fire on Darwin, you are ready to give up. But thank heavens for Kidman and Jackman, and the precocious presence of Walters he's the Best Child Actor of the year! There's a very tender moment between Kidman and Walters involving the actress singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to the boy. Yes, "Wizard of Oz" becomes the heart of the movie.
I also enjoyed the detailed description of the Aboriginal culture told by the presence of the mysterious tribal magic man known as King George (David Gulpilil). This part of the story energizes the movie.
"Australia" is not a perfect film but there are many elements within the movie that will bring joy to most viewers. Kidman and Jackman have believable chemistry necessary for a romantic film. And Jackman, fresh from being crowned the Sexiest Man Alive by People's Magazine showcases his rugged de rigueur.
At 165 minutes, "Australia" will test your patience. It's long, but believe me when I say, the film is also engaging. You cannot discount Luhrmann for his commendable homage to his beloved Australia. And for that, "Australia" gets 3 Oz kisses