The Ithacan: "Australia" Review

Now, this review I wrote right after Thanksgiving break brought up a lot of dissenting opinions among my friends. Australia was directed by Baz Luhrmann, whose few films are incredibly polarizing. There are those that L. O. V. E. the sumptuous splendor and tragedy of Moulin Rouge, though many others find it too frenzied. And William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet can be seen as the freshest take on any of Shakespeare's plays or a needless adulteration of a classic. 

I, for one, love his work. And though Australia has it's flaws, it was aiming to be a sweeping, romantic and joyous epic of a previous age. Which it succeeded at. Perhaps the reason the film did not do well is a testament to how much films have changed, and how the public's general expectations have been streamlined. For more, just see below. 

Epic Aussie film breaks genre boundaries

By Anne Gould Northgraves Staff Writer | December 4th, 2008

Expectant moviegoers have been anticipating the release of “Australia” for months, and the large-scale, romantic and exotic epic did not let them down. It is epic with a capital “E.”

The film is anything but genre-specific. With the cattle driving and beautifully shot desert scenery in most of the movie, it is part Western. The passionate relationship between Nicole Kidman’s stuffy Brit Lady Ashley and Hugh Jackman’s gruff Aussie Drover is classic romance fodder, and moments of physical and verbal humor create flashes of comedy.

 The social prejudices and Japanese Invasion of 1930s northern Australia add historical perspective. A large portion of the story revolves around the appalling racist policies of ruling whites against Aborigines and mixed-race children, providing social commentary.

“Australia” is reported to be the largest and most expensive film made in the titular country, costing upward of $150 million. Aussie director and co-writer Baz Luhrmann — best known for tragic romance spectacles “Moulin Rouge” (2001) and “Romeo + Juliet” (1996) — did not appear to be the ideal person to tackle “Australia.” But his experience crafting genre-bending films that fit bygone times was vital to making “Australia” work.

As in “Moulin Rouge,” the story starts off with a few too many characters and plot points presented all at once. Understanding all the information is admittedly difficult at first because of thick Australian accents. Also there are moments when quick editing, panning shots and physical humor akin to the style of “Moulin Rouge” and “Romeo + Juliet” are out of place. But overall the film flows well, and the audience can become truly invested in the story and the characters’ journeys. Luhrmann’s experience directing dance and action spectacles allows him to craft dramatic sequences in the expansive setting.

The writers also deserve a great deal of credit for the success of “Australia.” If not handled delicately, the story could have been predictable and unable to hold the viewer’s interest for the film’s 165 minutes. But “Australia” deftly handles the required plot points. While Kidman’s and Jackman’s characters progress through an archetypal relationship, from their initial loathing to being united to achieve a common goal to love, it is wholly believable. Though romantic films usually have an uplifting ending, given Luhrmann’s predilection for tragic endings, the conclusion does not feel forced or predictable.

The final piece of the epic puzzle that makes “Australia” a successfully grand picture is the actors’ skills. Though Kidman is Australian, she convincingly portrays a stuck-up British aristocrat. Her character is more than a caricature — Lady Ashley has good reasoning and motivation for her actions. Jackman is multidimensional as Drover, with his own motivations and convincing character arc. His emotional performance toward the end of the film when Drover comes to a startling realization is particularly moving. But while David Wenham is convincing as the evil Neil Fletcher, a far cry from his martyr-like role in “The Lord of the Rings,” Fletcher remains a one-note character and could have benefited from more development.

“Australia” reaches for epic proportions and hits the mark. Luhrmann transcends his customary style while keeping the film entertaining and surprising. The result is a film that recalls the grand spectacle of features like “Ben-Hur” in setting and story, while focusing on individual characters’ struggle through the landscape.

 

“Australia” was written by Baz Luhrmann, Stuart Beattie, Ronald Harwood and Richard Flanagan, and directed by Luhrmann. It received three and a half out of four stars.