Spring Break
Viewers take a trip down under with 'Australia'
4 and a half out of 5 stars
Natalie Abreu
Issue date: 12/2/08 Section: Focus
"In the end, the only thing you ever own is your story."
And story isn't lacking in the epic World War II era film "Australia" directed by the ambitious "Moulin Rouge!" director Baz Luhrmann. The film has everything an epic should have and works on many levels of comedy, romance, adventure and action and heart-wrenching drama and succeeds with flying colors. With all of these features working collectively to tell an amazing story, this is perhaps one of the best original film stories on the year.
Though some might argue with the length of the film at two hours and 45 minutes, with the economy going the way it is these days, you get more bang for your buck. This film is worth every penny, and a film of this grand scale needs to be experienced on the big screen. It is a feast for the eyes with the sweeping shots of Australian landscapes, dazzling costumes and terrific acting on the part of stars Nicole Kidman as a stuffy English woman, Lady Ashley, who becomes an authentic outback woman, and Hugh Jackman as the Drover.
Though both do shine and have great chemistry together that forms the romantic aspect of the film, the true star is the Aborigine boy Nallah (Brandon Walters). Though a child, his performance is moving and heartbreaking as he narrates the story as a child divided by his different cultures of Australian and Aboriginal.
The plot goes in many directions, but are all so engaging. The characters have to overcome the obstacles of Australian life, whether it be the erratic weather and harsh, dry land, the racism between Aborigines and whites in society, the bombings from Japanese troops in 1941 or simply defining oneself as a person, just like Lady Ashley and Nallah try to do.
Though some parts of the film might seem melodramatic, specifically with the cattle stampede sequences, make out sessions between Lady Ashley and the Drover, and Japanese bombing sequences, it is the style of the film as told from a child's point of view. That childlike quality is captured perfectly with the theme of "The Wizard of Oz" in the film, which is referenced a bit too much through film clips and "Somewhere over the rainbow," played at any given moment.
Audiences will laugh, cry and cheer in this film and wish the story of this magical place called "Australia" would never end. But in the end, you'll keep this story with you long after the credits roll.
And story isn't lacking in the epic World War II era film "Australia" directed by the ambitious "Moulin Rouge!" director Baz Luhrmann. The film has everything an epic should have and works on many levels of comedy, romance, adventure and action and heart-wrenching drama and succeeds with flying colors. With all of these features working collectively to tell an amazing story, this is perhaps one of the best original film stories on the year.
Though some might argue with the length of the film at two hours and 45 minutes, with the economy going the way it is these days, you get more bang for your buck. This film is worth every penny, and a film of this grand scale needs to be experienced on the big screen. It is a feast for the eyes with the sweeping shots of Australian landscapes, dazzling costumes and terrific acting on the part of stars Nicole Kidman as a stuffy English woman, Lady Ashley, who becomes an authentic outback woman, and Hugh Jackman as the Drover.
Though both do shine and have great chemistry together that forms the romantic aspect of the film, the true star is the Aborigine boy Nallah (Brandon Walters). Though a child, his performance is moving and heartbreaking as he narrates the story as a child divided by his different cultures of Australian and Aboriginal.
The plot goes in many directions, but are all so engaging. The characters have to overcome the obstacles of Australian life, whether it be the erratic weather and harsh, dry land, the racism between Aborigines and whites in society, the bombings from Japanese troops in 1941 or simply defining oneself as a person, just like Lady Ashley and Nallah try to do.
Though some parts of the film might seem melodramatic, specifically with the cattle stampede sequences, make out sessions between Lady Ashley and the Drover, and Japanese bombing sequences, it is the style of the film as told from a child's point of view. That childlike quality is captured perfectly with the theme of "The Wizard of Oz" in the film, which is referenced a bit too much through film clips and "Somewhere over the rainbow," played at any given moment.
Audiences will laugh, cry and cheer in this film and wish the story of this magical place called "Australia" would never end. But in the end, you'll keep this story with you long after the credits roll.
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