Australia
This is my review about "Australia" the movie. There were so much rave reviews for this film that I decided to take a look and see what was so special about Australia. The movie takes undertones of the way films in the 1960s were filmed: melodramatic.
I felt the start was very slow and even felt a bit bored in the first half hour. Actually, were it not for the ending I would have thought the whole movie was a dry comedy. It is not easy to sit through two and a half hours of this kind of film. I believe it would have been better suited for a mini-TV series. If you like ranching and 'cowboy' scenes then you may take a real interest in this film.
Australia may fool you into thinking that it is about a love story. Nevertheless, the story itself surrounds the aboriginals of Australia. Actually, in specific the ones known as "half cast" where one parent is White and the other aboriginal. In Australia they would round up these children and send them away. The practice was only stopped as late as 1973 and in 2008 the Prime Minister of Australia had to issue an official apology.
Rate: 2
Australia (Hover)
It is a love story -- the love for a little boy. The love story between the two adult stars was secondary, in my opinion.
I really enjoyed how the two main characters met, and I thought Nicole Kidman did a fine job with her comedic parts in the beginning. I'm not a real fan of hers, so I have to give her kudos for actually being funny. Hugh Jackman, well, he could dance with a lampshade on his head and I'd still love him, but he did a great job in his role of rough-hewn drover.
Classic "Good vs. Evil" story, attractive stars, epic scenery, really wicked bad guys ... And then that sweet little boy, Nullah, played by Brandon Walters. He did a fantastic job and saved the movie from being a silly cowboy melodrama.
I rate it 1 Edited: FarSeer on 21st Jul, 2009 - 12:14pm
As an Australian, I was very disappointed with this film. Sacrilege, to say this, but I am not a Hugh Jackman fan (my mother might just disown me for saying that) and Nicole Kidman, of late, has turned quite plastic. The boy was the saving grace. The acting was great! And for us Aussies, it was a whose who of Australian film and television.
I just don't think it portrayed Australia very well. It was supposed to be an advert for our great land....dear me, I wouldn't come on that.
I am wondering whether its because of the direction. I am not a fan of Baz Lurhmann's other movies. With the exception of 'Romeo and Juliet'. 'Australia' made me embarrassed to be Australian. I am not the only one. However, I do know of others (Australians) that loved it!
To answer your question, whether it portrayed what we did to the Aboriginal people? Then, unfortunately, I would have to say yes. And we did have people like Sarah and Drover who were on the side of the Aborigines. It is an embarrassment and I was one of millions that shed a tear last year when our Prime Minister finally said sorry for the stolen generation.
However, we're not the only country with this dirty little secret.