Review of The Dressmaker (2015) by Joanna B — 22 Feb 2016

Every bit as scathing and tragic as Muriel's Wedding, The Dressmaker is a dark comedy that - like the aforementioned, only a liberal dose of the Australian humor can do justice.

Having blossomed into a glamorous and worldly young woman; Tilly (Kate Winslet) returns to her two-bit small town of Dungatar in rural Australia determined to settle a score. Branded the 'the girl who moved away' years ago leaving as a child under traumatic circumstances, she reappears vehemently declaring "I'm back; you bastards".

With a singer sewing machine and haute couture her chosen tools, Tilly transforms the local women and exacts sweet revenge on those who did her wrong.

A melodramatic story complete with family secrets, the wicked tone is somewhat detracted from by the larger than life and decidedly ugly caricature style of its supporting characters. Fill with an outstanding cast of actors including Judy Davis as Tily's sharp tongued mother and Hugo Weaving is the towns Dior loving cop, the transformations sometimes defying us to even recognise them at first or engage with them after.

From the wonderful rural Victorian cinematography and production design that truly captures the essence of the era, to the unsettling musical score that echoes the disgruntled tone of the characters and brave screenplay, I really wanted to like this film but there needed to be some objective pruning to truly engage.

The Verdict: An equal measure of style and substance, something about the Dressmaker simply doesn't fit.

Published: Canberra Weekly.

Date of Publication: 05/11/2015.