Australia
Video 
Editorial
Exhale. Australia is a great film. Phew. Now we can all get some sleep. Like the ocker equivalent of the hysterical expectations preceding The Dark Knight, the pressure on Australia to perform threatened to destroy it before the über-ambitious enormity arrived.
The most expensive Australian movie ever (about 3000 "normal" homegrown features could have been made with its $150 million budget), it shows no signs of the strain it had been under for months.
Without being an instant classic, Baz Luhrmann’s next lavish tale of star-crossed lovers is what he always said it would be – a sweeping, sumptuous epic in the vein of Gone With The Wind and Lawrence Of Arabia. Laughs, tears, action, drama and visual majesty (Catherine "Mrs Luhrmann" Martin’s production design, Mandy Walker’s cinematography) abound in a genuine homage to/revision of escapist cinema.
Beautifully realised and breathtaking in scope – from characters to themes to locations and spectacle – Australia also packs surprises, notably that the Moulin Rouge! maestro can be restrained. Repeat: restrained.
Those delicious stories about Luhrmann and his production team racing against time so he could hand deliver the film at the world premiere might be truer than studio executives wish, but Australia on-screen is undeniably assured.
While its core thread is straight outta Mills & Boon – an uppity English rose (Nicole Kidman) and a rugged Oz drover (Hugh Jackman) eventually love it up in the Outback, as World War II approaches – sugar and cheese are kept in check.
Apart from some late-breaking soapboxing and the occasional (and forgivable) mush, Luhrmann and his impressive writing mates Stuart Beattie, Ronald Harwood and Richard Flanagan have done a bonza job of harmonising a risky tuckerbag of topics.
In the same year as the official "Sorry", Australia’s respectful, potent indigenous content never smacks of cheap polemic as young half-caste Nullah (movie-stealing newcomer Brandon Walters) has as big a bearing on proceedings as the pivotal Darwin drive and bombing. The subtly sharp spectre of the Stolen Generation, as well as rampant racism, are offset well by Luhrmann’s flair for theatrics; The Wizard Of Oz refrain lends a fairytale optimism to harsh truths.
Only dragging periodically during its two-and-a-half-hour journey, Luhrmann’s elaborate postcard includes a role for almost every Australian actor. Most are controlled caricatures, but some – along with tangents and cornball bits – can unsettle the movie magic conjured.
At centre stage, Jackman and Kidman are a perfect pair. With shirt off or on, man’s man Jackman has become the quintessential Aussie bloke as the Drover With No Name. Almost upstaged by future star Walters and David Gulpilil as emblematic King George, Kidman has found her best role as Lady Sarah Ashley. Showing striking humour and warmth alongside frailty and maternal growth, Kidman will convert many naysayers.
Getting results from shooting to scale on location, and reserving most special effects for a stampede and the Pearl Harbor-esque bombing raid, Luhrmann can now relax. He did it.
Ben McEachen
Watch our exclusive footage of Australia's red carpet Sydney premiere here.
User Feedback
John
November 26, 2008
I was embarrassed that this film with its paper thin plot and cardboard characters should bear my country's name as its title. If this is the best our local film industry can produce when 150 million dollars is thrown at them then there is a case for low budget films which have often been thoughtful, enjoyable, and introduced actors with real talent. This film was a monumental waste of money.
Harry Georgatos
November 28, 2008
I was forced by my sister's girlfriends to watch this movie a second time out. Watching this film Luhrmann has basically created a comic-book look at Australia. Kidman's acting is of the worse kind. Her reaction shots in this film had me laughing. There are far more talented actors in this country who would never get the breaks Kidman has got through her ex-husband. The film is one gigantic cliche. The photography of the landscape is the real selling point to this film. Terrible storytelling with cardboard cutout characters that belong in a comic-strip. If this film recoups its 160 million dollar budget I'll fly to the moon and back.
Markos
December 07, 2008
This movie makes you feel proud to be Australian. From the director, to the actors and of course the 3000 strong Australian crew - what a mammoth effort to create a brilliantly entertaining film capturing the essence of this country - honesty, pride, passion and guts. The amount of PR this movie and these Actors have provided for our country is immeasurable (note: these superstars all took massive pay cuts so it could be made in this Country, on this huge scale, and with so many Australians involved). The actors have been everywhere during its making - with charity events and functions, giving their time, name and influence which they should all be congratulated for. The only thing standing in its way is unfortunately the "Tall Poppy Syndrome". Congratulations to all involved - I'm heading back to watch it on the big screen for the 4th time - sensational !!! Anyone who doesn't like this amazing epic - should stay at home and watch Pulp Fiction or Star Trek DVDs. 10/10
Tristan
December 08, 2008
This film is a big unpalatable ham and cheese sandwich, where Jackman's cringe worthy haminess never lets down for three hours, Luhrmann's cheesiness is unbearable and Kidman is the plain white bread bringing it together. What an embarrassment that it bears the title of our nation.
Angela Lowe
December 14, 2008
This is the most terrible film I have ever seen, amateurish, cliched, downright embarrassing with its oafishness. Nice "scenery", we walked out after half an hour, couldnt stand any more.
gtg
December 15, 2008
kk this movie was actually an autralias outback movie puhahaha!!!!:)
anna addario
December 21, 2008
I have enjoyed the movie so much that I like to see it again, it was outstanding. and I have recommended it to my friends.
greg
December 23, 2008
Excellent. Choked me up emotionally several times. Can't understand the critics.
Tony
December 31, 2008
Australia is fantastic. I think it lives up to the hype. It is a grand story in the great tradition of the Hollywood epic and contains many themes and shots drawn from cinema classics including the Magnificent Seven, Gone with the Wind and even the African Queen (to name just a few). There's even a nod to the Australian photographer Tracey Moffat. This film has something for everyone: they just have to see it. And remember, it's a STORY, not a documentary.
David
January 05, 2009
This is fantastic, don't listen to the rubbish that people talk. You'll enjoy it for what it is, an epic about our great country. Play Great Australian Actor Bingo! You'll get a line pretty quickly!
Jerome
January 18, 2009
Extremely excellently fabulously superbly brilliant! A great example of something that people have no time for because they want to be entertained and not actually be part of the solution. "Crocodile Dundee (1/2/3)" meets "The Cowboys" (John Wayne)meets "City Slickers" meets "Pearl Harbour" meets "I had trouble in getting to Solla Sollew" (Dr Seuss). All humans should see this movie. Let's be strong against pesky bullies of all shapes and sizes. Tolerate all people...but not always their controlling, bullying behaviour...please. Scenery was nice too. Love people...please...do it.
Debbie Gray
September 10, 2009
I have just watched it for the fourth time and still love it. The acting was brilliant by all, except the drunk, and I can't wait to see it again.
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