Review By: Vinwada Rocker Review Date: 17 Mar 2009
Baz Luhrmann has done a great job with Australia. While clichés and political agenda runs rife, this is set nicely into an historic, epic story in three distinct acts.
Great casting - Hugh Jackman was what the role needed, and he played the role very well. Nicole Kidman, while being rubbished by several critics, appeared somewhat typecast in her role, but that style was exactly what the role needed, and I think she did a great job at pulling it off. However, I think that the standout performances actually came from Brandon Walters (in his first film), Jack Thompson (in a minor role) and David Wenham who brought aussie sleaze to a new level. Unfortunately, I had trouble believing in Ben Mendelsohns character of Captain Dutton, but seemed to finish on a high, pulling the British stiff upper lip thing fairly well.
Luhrmans epic was long, and had the full gamut of Luhrmanesque style, which weve come to love through his films. Stylised backgrounds, unique, visual approaches, and a sense of humour that is truly Luhrman, flood the film bringing a rich Australian environment.
Australia presents to the world, perhaps a very different Australia to what a lot of people think. While the fictional characters and some of the style is very reminiscent of "Gone with the Wind", the historical Darwin during the Stolen Generation era and the impact of World War Two on Australias doorstep may be a new insite to many.
I enjoyed Australia a lot. While it wasnt the best film Ive ever seen, I definitely think its worth looking at - even if its just to see what Baz Luhrman has done.
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