Nicole Kidman travels far and away in ‘Australia’
November 26, 2008 at 9:30 am by Curt Holman in A&E
WET ’N WILD: Hugh Jackman as the Drover (left) and Nicole Kidman as Sarah
If The African Queen and Indiana Jones had a baby with a chronic case of A.D.D. and raised it Down Under, it would grow up to be Australia, Baz Luhrmann’s overinflated romantic saga.
In previous films such as Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge, Luhrmann never let audience headaches get in the way of his pursuit of hyperbolic stylishness. Australia’s first third unfolds like a cartoon of romance novels. On the eve of World War II, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) travels from England to Australia to save her late husband’s ranch, Faraway Downs, from a beef baron (Bryan Brown) and his vicious henchman (David Wenham). Sarah only finds allies among a rag-tag group of drunks, Aborigines and a rough-hewn cattle driver called “The Drover” (Hugh Jackman). (If this were an American film, he’d be a cowboy named “The Cowboy.”)
Australia’s shrill, spastic first act plays like this summer’s eyesore Speed Racer movie, pitched to middle-aged ladies. Once the massive cattle drive starts, however, Luhrmann catches a breath and lets the story calm down and expand to fill the gorgeous vistas of his native land. Australia features an adorable supporting turn from young Brandon Walters as Nullah, a “half-caste” boy born of Wenham’s character and an Aboriginal mother. Luhrmann uses Nullah’s travails to decry the racist aspects of Australian history in sharper terms than, say, Gone With the Wind ever did.
Eventually Kidman and Jackman’s charms emerge and the story intermittently clicks as an old-fashioned melodrama, culminating with star-crossed lovers and surrogate families trying to reunite during a Japanese attack. Even when Luhrmann’s epic successfully sweeps and sprawls, it still has to contend with heavy-handed Aboriginal mysticism and shameless tributes to The Wizard of Oz. As an Old School, Really Big Movie, Australia should fare well at the Oscars, even though it amounts to little more than a giant “Welcome to Australia!” postcard with super-saturated colors and historical footnotes written on the back.
Australia 2 stars Directed by Baz Luhrmann. Stars Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman. Rated PG-13. Opens Wed., Nov. 26. At area theaters.
(Photo by James Fisher)
November 27th, 2008 at 12:17 am
I have seen the movie ‘AUSTRALIA’ yesterday, it truly was a rare and exceptional film.
I will never forget the experience and the real insightful look into the history of Australia.
I found the movie transport you into a place were you experience real life emotional turmoil,
death, heartache, grief, compassion, ultimate acts of hatred, racism, showing a true reflection of the stolen generation, injustice, human beings at their worst, plus human beings at their
exceptional best and potential, breathtaking scenery, sincere touches of warmth, heartfelt expressions of innocence, real love, turmoil within the human spirit, transformation, delightful
moments of joy, touches of magic, great humour and laughter, sensitivity and respect towards aboriginal culture and spirituality.
This is a rare piece of creativity that touches the heart in a subtle but powerful way.
Thank you Baz Luhrmann for your rare insightful movie of Australia …. I jumped with fright, laughed loudly, cried with sadness and from a place of great joy.
This is a REALLY SPECIAL FILM.