Claire Sutherland of the Herald Sun, you should be ashamed of yourself. This is not a review, it's an advertisement:
HE SET himself an enormous challenge, but Baz Luhrmann has pulled off an incredible film in Australia.
The film begins with surprising slapstick and trademark Luhrmann over-the-top humour - a scene featuring Jackman giving himself a bath with a bucket is pure beefcake and proud of it - but settles into a compelling and moving tale that traverses war, race relations, class and the Stolen Generation.
It's a movie with a message, but Luhrmann provides the audience with no shortage of thrills, from a cliffhanger cattle stampede to the bombing of Darwin.
Kidman and Jackman are perfect together, Jackman's broad speaking drover a perfect foil to Kidman's snooty English rose.
Australia features some of the most beautiful photography ever seen in an Australian film, from the Bungle Bungles in the Kimberley to the Northern Territory in the midst of the wet season.
A love letter to the Australian landscape and our history, Australia has international blockbuster written all over it.
And in case you were wondering: yes, it's produced by Twentieth Century-Fox.
By the way. The heading above is from the paper, this is the online heading: First review: Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman shine in Australia.
Posted by: Tony T. | 18 November 2008 at 20:01
I heard some gushing tripe on ACA or its equivalent just a moment ago.
"With endorsement from Oprah and backing from Tourism Australia, Australia can't afford to be a flop."
Barf inducing on about 3 levels. It was one of those "I wish I was rich enough to throw an extremely heavy steel toecap work boot at the telly" moments.
Posted by: Big Ramifications | 18 November 2008 at 22:15
Even Tony Jones on Lateline was spruiking it. It's un-Australian not to, apparently.
Posted by: m0nty | 18 November 2008 at 23:23
When you name a movie after your country, it had better be good. And not just 'A Night At The Roxbury' good either.
Posted by: Adsy | 18 November 2008 at 23:35
Being in the UK, I feel embarrassed every time I see the advertisement splashed on the big screen. The whole name and... everything is just... crass.
Posted by: Chade | 19 November 2008 at 07:22
So Tony - what night have you got tickets for - Cheep Chuesday?
Posted by: Francis Xavier Holden | 19 November 2008 at 13:58
I will go and see it just as soon as it changes it's name to something less pathetically pompous, more appropriate: Straya!
Posted by: Tony T | 19 November 2008 at 15:25
Brazil was a great movie.
Although I couldn't remember why it was called Brazil.
Posted by: RT | 19 November 2008 at 15:44
I'm waiting for Tierra del Fuego - The Movie!
Posted by: Francis Xavier Holden | 19 November 2008 at 16:32
Seen it.
Not much better than Kazakhstan, the Director's Cut.
Posted by: Tony T | 19 November 2008 at 17:12
Who has handled the PR for this film? It has been a bigger feat than the movie itself, and deserving of the PR equivalent of the Best Film Oscar (TM).
I would have preferred more emphasis on the film's subtitle, Australia : the constitutional monarchy.
I'm looking forward to Australia 2,3,4 etc.
Posted by: Professor Rosseforp | 19 November 2008 at 19:21
Team America was OK. I've been told. I fell asleep after the "Everybody's got AIDS" musical scene.
Posted by: Big Ramifications | 19 November 2008 at 19:36
our Nic makes me puke. and she was born in the USA state of Hawaii. her face is totally botoxed, and she wanted that baby so desperately that she was back on the set in England 12 weeks after having it. WTF?
Moulin Rouge was absolute rubbish, and
this morning I choked on the headline about some "old girlfriend" of Jackman, immediately thinking it was PR to prop up his heterosexual image, and read on to discover the whole episode was 4th grade. right.
Hugh and Nicole hang at the New York City apartment of Rupert Murdoch and their children have playdates with Wendi Dengs empire-aspirational sproglets.
and none of them can bat or bowl.
Posted by: Dysthymiac | 21 November 2008 at 15:08
link to Daily Telegraph claim that Hughie liked girls when he was 9
Posted by: Bwca | 21 November 2008 at 19:00
I think it amazing..........!
Posted by: masduqi | 27 November 2008 at 15:59
I suspect the PR storm has actually done more harm than good, (even just in terms of bums on seats). It's enough tp bring back the cultural cringe.
I wouldn't be seen dead watching it. No doubt the scenery is pretty though.
Posted by: Bill | 02 December 2008 at 13:35