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Movie Review: Australia
Dec. 7th, 2008 02:57 pmI really wanted to like this movie, which was directed by Baz Luhrman and stars Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, and David Wenham -- all actors I enjoy watching. Unfortunately, while it was a servicable "epic" it fell far short of my expectations -- particularly of Luhrman, the man responsible for Moulin Rouge.
One of the worst things that can be said about any movie is that there are no surprises in it, and that was certainly the case with Australia. The characters are stock types: the Heroine, the brittle, sheltered noblewoman who comes fully alive when faced with the challenges of the wilderness and the company of the Hero; the aforementioned Hero, a rough-neck brawler with a heart of gold, who alone in his society is colorblind where the Aboriginals are concerned; the Hired Man engaged to the boss's daughter, not to be trusted under any circumstances; the Robber Cattle Baron (who lacked only a black moustache to twirl, so one-dimensional was his characterization); the beautiful Native Child who turns the brittle spinster into a mother; and the Witch Doctor/Medicine Man whose near-silent presence throughout the film also functions as a deus ex machina when needed.
The first challenge for Our Heroes is to get the Heroine's late husband's cattle to market, despite the nefarious plans of the Robber Cattle Baron and The Untrustworthy Hired man. Of course there's a stampede. Of course there are wide deserts to cross without water. But is the outcome ever really in doubt?
If it weren't so predictable, if there had been just a few moments to make me gasp or laugh in surprise, it might have been a truly enjoyable movie -- but it was a paint-by-numbers affair. Kidman has turned in some lovely and sharp performances, but she strikes me as being very much an actress who needs a skilled director to get the best from her. Luhrman got a great performance out of her in Moulin Rouge, but let her down here. She showed very little range beyond pouting, looking determined, and looking misty-eyed with love, and her male co-stars coasted comfortably along in their one-dimensional roles.
Only the boy who plays the half-caste child had any real sparkle, but a three-hour epic was too much for him to elevate by himself.
One of the worst things that can be said about any movie is that there are no surprises in it, and that was certainly the case with Australia. The characters are stock types: the Heroine, the brittle, sheltered noblewoman who comes fully alive when faced with the challenges of the wilderness and the company of the Hero; the aforementioned Hero, a rough-neck brawler with a heart of gold, who alone in his society is colorblind where the Aboriginals are concerned; the Hired Man engaged to the boss's daughter, not to be trusted under any circumstances; the Robber Cattle Baron (who lacked only a black moustache to twirl, so one-dimensional was his characterization); the beautiful Native Child who turns the brittle spinster into a mother; and the Witch Doctor/Medicine Man whose near-silent presence throughout the film also functions as a deus ex machina when needed.
The first challenge for Our Heroes is to get the Heroine's late husband's cattle to market, despite the nefarious plans of the Robber Cattle Baron and The Untrustworthy Hired man. Of course there's a stampede. Of course there are wide deserts to cross without water. But is the outcome ever really in doubt?
If it weren't so predictable, if there had been just a few moments to make me gasp or laugh in surprise, it might have been a truly enjoyable movie -- but it was a paint-by-numbers affair. Kidman has turned in some lovely and sharp performances, but she strikes me as being very much an actress who needs a skilled director to get the best from her. Luhrman got a great performance out of her in Moulin Rouge, but let her down here. She showed very little range beyond pouting, looking determined, and looking misty-eyed with love, and her male co-stars coasted comfortably along in their one-dimensional roles.
Only the boy who plays the half-caste child had any real sparkle, but a three-hour epic was too much for him to elevate by himself.
