In the promotional material for Australia, I had no idea what the movie was about aside from the setting found in the title. Other than that, it appeared that director Baz Luhrmann had Gone with the Wind in his sights. I also smelled Nicole Kidman’s pampered fish-out-of-water and Hugh Jackman’s throw-away adventurer and the romance that would surely surround them. Truthfully, I was surprised and mostly for the better.
The following is an attempt at summing up an epic plot without giving it away. It’s 1939 and Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) ventures to Australia in an effort to maintain her recently acquired cattle ranch. With the help of a man known only by his job, Drover (Hugh Jackman), she pulls herself together while acquainting herself with local people, culture, and politics. Eventually the outside world catches up to them, as World War II prompts many changes in the landscape.
I was touched by the characters in Australia. It doesn’t hurt that the leads are great in their roles. Nicole Kidman’s Sarah Ashley isn’t annoying. Her transformation is quick but believable. Hugh Jackman’s character has just as many dimensions. The scene stealer is newcomer Brandon Walters who plays Nullah. Nullah provides the eyes through which the story is told and steals the show as the biracial youngster who catalyzes the character dynamisms. It’s difficult for child actors to be kids without biting on the nerves of the audience, but he does just fine. Together, the trio makes for a strong screen family with great chemistry in scenes of humor and drama capable of evoking tears.
Baz Luhrmann is deserving of auteur status. His last release was Moulin Rouge!, and on average he only comes out with a film once ever 5 years. Each time his aesthetics evolve, but this title will be quickly recognizable to those familiar with past work. With that said, it is far less frantic than Romeo + Juliet. It is also frontloaded with his trademark over the top zaniness. Fortunately, it picks up a much more serious and dire tone as the film continues. This formula doesn’t work for everyone and many will be alienated by the early and rapid culminations of exposition with eccentric presentation mechanics.
Serious post production efforts are now a way of life in cinema. I understand that stampeding cattle mixed with a child actor, is what most would call dangerous. So I’m in no way complaining about the computer effects used in the endangering scenarios faced in the film. I just think that the threshold for what can acceptably be fixed with computer is getting stretched too far. Is it really necessary for every shot of Nicole Kidman in the outback to look like it was shot on the 300 soundstage? The unnatural glow in many of the outdoor shots is distracting. It’s furthered by obvious CGI work on boats and buildings which twenty years ago would have been legitimate in appearance and achieved the all-important suspension of disbelief.
Australia is two films rolled into one. The first half is about reclaiming land and driving cattle. During all of this the characters reveal themselves, which really sets the stage for the second half. There, WWII hits the shores of Darwin, Australia. Much like Titanic and Pearl Harbor, Australia bills a historical event but presents a love story. Some people are disappointed by these films because of the fictional romance masquerading around true events and see the results as conflicting. I however was charmed by the characters/performances and saw the ascending caliber of the second half as a major plus. Smart choice for a date movie. ***
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