Australia Movie Review

NICOLE KIDMAN HUGH JACKMAN

AUSTRALIA

It's nearly the big epic we had hoped for. Director Baz Lurhman's originally conceived script that he has been working on for years finally debuts at an epic 3 hours. Unfortunately instead of standing beside Out of Africa, epically it falls more alongside Titanic or Pearl Harbor. Still Lurhman's dedication and strong sense of sweeping cinematography, button perfect costumes by wife Catherine Martin, and pitch perfect art direction will likely align the epic from down under for many Oscar nominations, just not best picture or for the actors. Both Kidman and Jackman fill their characters pleasantly but compared to the commanding contention they are up against (i.e. Benjamin Button, Doubt, Milk) they will likely be forgotten.

1930's Australia was a place of vast discrimination both culturally with the Aborigines to the women and foreigners. The rugged outback known for its strong cattle has become a monopoly for one rancher who seeks one last piece of land called Far Away Downs owned by the late Mr. Ashley. Just arriving from England his widow Sarah (Kidman) takes control of the compound dismissing the conniving Fletcher (David Wenham) who has been stealing from the Ashley's for years. Sarah alongside Drover (Jackman) and a few hands from the house set out to deliver their own bulls to the army to discontinue the long monopoly.

I admire Lurhman and Kidman for always seeking out and establishing a strong female presence in film. Some of the best scenes of the film revolve around Kidman's character proving her ability to ride alongside the men, especially when dealing with Fletcher. Jackman, who took the role after Kidman's buddy Russell Crowe dropped out, brings a great personable quality to the role and ends up delivering a match made in heaven with Kidman.

Australia is very much a character in the film, but as large as this picture is it's stolen by twelve year old actor Brandon Walters provides the heart of the film.