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Set in northern Australia before World War II, an English aristocrat who inherits a sprawling ranch reluctantly pacts with a stock-man in order to protect her new property from a takeover plot. As the pair drive 2,000 head of cattle over unforgiving landscape, they experience the bombing of Darwin, Australia, by Japanese forces firsthand.
Nicole Kidman: Lady Sarah Ashley
Director Baz Luhrmann gives us his new vision Australia, and what a joy it results in being. Let's just begin by saying that all my expectations were met and in a way exceeded them, in the guise of being educational, historical and in essence, capturing the spirit and power of the mesmerizing land of Australia. It's dreamy yet sometimes rough, chaotic yet beautiful,and plagued with racism yet rays of hope lying with the rare handful of good souls, among the inhabitants.
The strengths of Australia really are numerous in number, not to mention it stays true to Baz's style and nature. Being loud, vibrant and charged with wild energy and visual flair. The history here on offer, is most important, we learn, of the aborigines plight, the unfairness that the white men bring to their land, and the unfair taking off their children. The so called Lost Generations. This instantly told me that Australia wasn't to be your usual overblown Box Office Epic Romance, this told me Australia was to be something of substance, and ultimately something to learn from.
"Australia" is set in the northern part of the country in the early stage of World War II. Due to a misfortune, an English aristocrat named Lady Sarah Ashley receives a vast cattle station which prompts English cattle barons to scheme to take this land. With no other option, she joins forces with Drover, to drive a 2,000-herd of cattle across hundreds of miles through the merciless desert at the heart of Australia. Drover and Ashley also face the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese first hand who only months earlier attacked Pearl Harbor.
With the help of fantastic acting, a brilliant screenplay, incredible directing, and breathtaking cinematography the film manages to become the greatest Australian film of all time. The powerful scenes and the remarkable scenery will send the viewer through the darkest chapter in Australian history. The film offers a chance for anyone to highly respect what Aboriginal people went through during the time and to know that much like Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, they are sorry.
''Mama say, I Galapa. I magic-man. I wizard-man!''
For all it's historical information and seriousness, Australia isn't without it's fun and unrelenting charm. We have breath taking landscapes, humourous characters and a load of charming Australian subtleties, on display for us to feast upon.
Nicole Kidman as Lady Sarah Ashley, really displays some of the finest charisma charged performances of her career. She does often pick some questionable roles, however, Australia is the best film she's done to date. Her energy and disposition holds a life of itself, even her horse riding abilities, are to be commended, whole heartedly.
Hugh Jackman as Drover, also gives one of his best performances to date, and giving an actual decent Australian accent justice. Although he is an Aussie. Jackman adds another triumph to his roles in this ace up the sleeve, the macho, morally correct, and strong Drover hero of Australia. Also giving one of the best romances with Nicole, this year 2008.
Brandon Walters as Nullah, really was the cutest treasures amongst the gems of Baz's crowning achievement. Nullah has a sweet innocence and mighty heart accompanied with a playful nature and temperament. His grandfather King George, also show, the plight of the Aborigines well, and shows the land's true people. Right from the stories beginning, Nullah narrates the happenings for us, drawing us in, to this wondrous world of wonder.
David Wenham as Neil Fletcher, gives us one of the best villains of 2008. Fletcher is a man, whom audiences will love to hate. Wenham succeeds in making a truly snake of a man. A man unafraid of killing his own flesh and blood even.
Bryan Brown as Carney, I found irritating and a pointless character.
Lady Sarah Ashley: Let's go home.
Drover: There's no place like it.
Australia's Music and cinematography is simply breathtaking in it's majestic scope and execution. Baz really knows how to impress, not just with colourful pictures, such as maps and newspapers, but he actually shows us Australia in all it's glory. Giving us wonderful aerial shots of lush wilderness, mountains and terrain usually unseen for us mere mortals.
The duration of Australia may be one of it's weaknesses, yet the unrivaled attention to detail and hypnotic story-telling, more than make up for it. We have nothing but pure admiration, for the whole tale after it's finished, because it's a journey of multiple roads for all characters in it's wake.
''Mrs. Boss! We gotta get those fat cheeky bulls into that big bloody metal ship!''
Overall, this film, this Australia, is Baz Luhrmann's greatest film yet. A true spectacle, featuring the best costumes, scenery, passion, humour, romance and wildest adventure to offer. Unsurprisingly enough, good old Classic, Wizard of Oz pops up, and surprisingly Baz Luhrmann's Australia is another classic in years to come. As the beginning informs us, wait for the finale, Australia is a masterful adventure with an educational point, and crickey, does it hit home.
9/10
