"Australia"
It was rather good. It's Baz, so it was OTT, part comedy, part drama, part historical epic. But I was expecting that, so wasn't as surprised by it as I can imagine many people might be by the unusual beginning.
I don't actually rate Nicole Kidman as an actress. She can't move her face and she's a bit of a ham. But I didn't mind her in this - but perhaps because the character was so OTT and began as a caricature she wasn't really required to do much other than simper and huff and puff and pull the 'silly-posh-Brit-in-the-outback' schtick. But it worked - there's a moment with a kangaroo that is priceless. Still, it means that later on, in the quieter, more emotional moments she just doesn't have the depth or gravitas necessary. I wouldn't have actually preferred to see someone like Naomi Watts or Miranda Otto in the role. But oh well.
Hugh Jackman is...Hugh Jackman. There were a few too many 'crikeys' for my liking, but he's always good. I'm always pleased to see David Gulpilill in anything, same goes for David Wenham, who was wonderful playing against type as the villian. But the young boy who played Nullah was the standout, I think. He really held the film together, even half-way through when it seemed to be over and then I realised Darwin hadn't been bombed yet.
Which is what I was actually most looking forward too. Visually, it was stunning, and a bit confronting because I don't think many people (even Australians) realise how close the Japanese were to invading us.
And then there was the depiction of the Stolen Generation which I think made the film rise above stock-standard romance and sweeping scenery to something more important - especially considering the text that comes up at the end. This film was released in 2008 - 2008 was the year of the Apology. I think it deserves attention just because of that. The only thing that saddens me is that there are still (still!) people about rabbiting on that 'It wasn't the Stolen Generation, it was the Saved Generation'. *sigh*
Yes the film was over the top, a bit strange in places, and a mish-mash of different stories, genres, pop culture etc (the inclusion of The Wizard of Oz was nice, if a little overused) - but I think that's par for the course when you get a film from Baz. I think it has been over-hyped and over-marketed - it's a good film, perhaps not as good as Strictly Ballroom or Romeo + Juliet, or even Moulin Rouge! but it was still enjoyable. For me it hit most of the right notes and wasn't as kitch as I thought it was going to be.
I hear it hasn't done so well in the US - a shame, I think, because it might have helped bridge the gap between Crocodile Dundee and more accurate, better Australian films that don't rely on kangaroos and crocodiles and G'days.
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