Review of Bran Nue Dae (2009) by Troy C — 08 Jan 2010

Where the heck did Rocky McKenzie come from? Someone must have forgotten to tell him that unknown indigenous boys with no previous film experience don?t upstage the likes of Geoffrey Rush, Magda Szubanski and Ernie Dingo in their debut, because that is exactly what he has done. From the moment McKenzie appears on screen he lights it up. The aforementioned Aussie heavyweights all provide superb support though, as does ex-Australian Idol Jessica Mauboy in a role that should see her offered some more in the future. Fellow singer Missy Higgins, Tom Budge and well-respected aboriginal actress Deborah Mailman don?t fare as well mind you.

Rachel Perkins has said that when she saw the stage musical of the same name she knew she would have to bring it to the big screen one day. Her obvious adoration of the source material is a blessing, the light-hearted and enthusiastic atmosphere seeps onto the audience and makes her paean a sure-fire Summer smash. Perkins has delivered what so many Aussies - indigenous or otherwise - have wanted for so long, a movie where all Australian races are poked fun at. It is the ideal anecdote to the current trend of Oz productions dealing with issues both serious and heavy.

The musical numbers are of varying standards. The finest of them ? a booming Ernie Dingo-led traditional piece and an opening number in the Roebuck Bay Hotel with Mauboy and co which kicks the film off with a blast ? are not only enjoyable but set the tone at their respective parts of the flick. Others don?t progress the story quite as well ? Higgins idyllic hymn to the ?dusty road? or her alluring melody to boyfriend Slippery ? and have a distinct ?video clip? feel to them, however they?re still excellent songs.

Credit goes to Perkins for proving that Aussies can still have fun on celluloid.

4 out of 5 (1 - Rubbish, 2 - Ordinary, 3 - Good, 4 - Excellent, 5 - Classic).