australia

There are just some films you must see on the big screen, an epic like Baz's Australia certainly fits that bill. Truth be told, I dug it, but I really feel like I've got to see it again to get the entirety of the 2hr40odd min. Not that I didn't "get it", I might have to watch it five or six times to catch what I feel are the nuances of a Baz film. I'm really tempted to take another 3 hours out of my life to head to the cinema...plus, seeing a soaped up Hugh Jackman on a huge screen really does clear your head.



My feeling is that Baz took on too much. Australia is part Gone With The Wind, African Queen; part romance, part high comedy, part...well part everything. The thread throughout is that of the Stolen Generation. He could have made three separate films with the material he's tackling, all of which would have been fabulous. The acting was great - Hugh, well, other than how amazing he looked on screen, the only thing he could have done to make his performance any better would be to sing. Nicole was certainly far from her The Hours glory, but she just radiates on screen. The kid, WHOA, the kid stops everyone in their tracks. Brandon Walters never acted before, never had been in a small town before - it's told that Baz had to go on a walkabout with his family before they would agree to Brandon's participation. He has this glimmer in his eyes, glimmer of curiosity, devilishness, spirit and of love. Seeing as he is Australian, he won't be squashed by the Hollywood system and might just have a go at being a real actor, not just a kid actor.



There were the typical Baz gags: the trip to FarAway Downs is classic. In an overstuffed worn out truck, the big glasses, overstated hat, the lighting...the kangaroos. But you didn't feel Baz throughout the entire piece, I can't really explain why. The Drover is the archetypal Aussie - closed off, stone faced, wearing it all like a badge of honor. Lady Fancypants is over the top control freak, from her clothes to her tackle anything attitude. They play off one another well, knowing damn well in any good film, opposites will and do attract. Although, they didn't attract enough. Lots of kissing, but with two gorgeous people with amazing bodies, we really did deserve a good sex scene, or the makings of something other than the Drover speeding up the path everytime he comes home from a run. I'm a fan of the hot, dirty, scruffy Hugh, which we see alot of (man can he ride a horse.) We also get to see a total Casablanca white dinner jacket, clean shaven moment at the ball. They do make a hot couple.



Will I spend the money to see it again? I haven't seen a movie twice in the theatre since...I really have to think about this one. Buy the DVD? For sure. Baz has been quoted that he filmed three endings, didn't have the final cut until right before it's premiere, that day. Rumor has it, there were SIX filmed. 161 day shoot, I'm sure that the bonus DVD will be completely worth it.