Review of Australia (2008) by Hayleigh C — 25 Dec 2012
Baz Luhrmann paints a beautiful picture but unfortunately finds no place to hang it.
It follows a prim and proper English woman who finds herself falling in love with a rough and tumble cattle driver in WWII era Australia.
Luhrmann lost my respect with 'Romeo + Juliet', gained back some with 'Moulin Rouge', and lost some of it again with this film. The visuals are stunning but the plot structure is so pretentious. You can't just put a cliché concept into a new environment and call it original. Not only does it bring nothing new to the table but it also fails to grab you with anything substantial in any area.
Hugh Jackman isn't exactly at the top of his game but he does perform better than most others in this cast. Nicole Kidman was a major letdown, she felt so fake, and not in a characteristic sense at all. And don't even get me started on David Wenham!
When it comes down to it, it's just an ultra modern, period piece trying to be 'Across the Universe' and 'Gone With the Wind' at the same time.
This review of Australia (2008) was written by Hayleigh C on 25 Dec 2012.
Australia has generally received positive reviews.
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