Australia, the Movie: Renowned Throughout the Lands
December 1st 2008 00:27
I was surprised, and initially disappointed that Baz Luhrmann’s much hyped epic, Australia, began with a clear politically driven message at its heart - the plight of indigenous Australia: the Aboriginals. 'More brow beating from the left-leaning cultural elite' I instinctively thought.
After an hour or so though, the story began to fold over on me, drawing me in to the extent that I was able to look past my reservations and concerns, becoming engrossed in what was generally, an applaudable film, with only a couple of drawbacks that I am working hard to rationalize.
Drawbacks such as the intimate relationship between Lady Ashley and The Drover - despite never graphically being portrayed, yet clearly not sanctified by marital vows - and a smattering of language, mostly colloquial, but with one major in'F'raction, if you get my drift.
Plus there is a lot of alcohol consumption, which is sadly, completely cultural, and quite a bit of racially insensitive dialogue, which again, reflects the period and setting. And of course, let's not forget the almost 3 hours duration. Hard yakka, to coin a phrase, by anyone's definition.
I very much want to overlook the failings of Australia, of which there are as many technical as value-centric. Such as an almost appalling amount of very obvious green screen, some kitsch, painfully stereotyped moments - the unfailing regularity with which kangaroos appeared in unlikely places was laughable - and the almost caricatured nature of the early parts of the story. Yes, I want to overlook these points because I am Australian, and I really want Australia to be the epic that we were all hoping for.
I guess it's similar to those of us, me included, who seek to overlook the language in Apollo 13, or the intensity of the language and action of a Saving Private Ryan, or Gladiator, or even Braveheart. We want to overlook because there were parts of each of those films that uplifted our human condition.
And so it is with Australia for me. That even though it falls short of the values criteria I seek from movies, it could have been a lot worse, number one. And number 2, it provided an important lesson on the capacity for tolerance that each of us possesses, and the out and out good that can be achieved through holding fast to the equality of man.
That's what Australia did for me. Can I recommend it? I'm not sure. Individuals will have to choose. For non-Australians, to whom this film was clearly targeted, the impressive panoramas, performances of Kidman, Jackman, and the young boy, Brandon Walters, as Nullah, the true hero of the story, will probably impress. But there is much Aussie nuance that will be lost on global audiences. However, there are enough crikeys to keep non-Australian's going, and there's even a croc attack!
Aussies living away from home, will be hard-pressed to restrain the tears, as Japanese bombs land on Australian soil, and the beauty of the landscapes of the northern outback become almost tangible, or the laconic typically Aussie sense of humor comes to life. As an Australian, these things hit you right where you live.
In the end, Australia is far from perfect. But it has many enjoyable elements, greater than those that are either distasteful, or awkward. To me it's a winner, and well worth the effort.
After an hour or so though, the story began to fold over on me, drawing me in to the extent that I was able to look past my reservations and concerns, becoming engrossed in what was generally, an applaudable film, with only a couple of drawbacks that I am working hard to rationalize.
Drawbacks such as the intimate relationship between Lady Ashley and The Drover - despite never graphically being portrayed, yet clearly not sanctified by marital vows - and a smattering of language, mostly colloquial, but with one major in'F'raction, if you get my drift.
Plus there is a lot of alcohol consumption, which is sadly, completely cultural, and quite a bit of racially insensitive dialogue, which again, reflects the period and setting. And of course, let's not forget the almost 3 hours duration. Hard yakka, to coin a phrase, by anyone's definition.
I very much want to overlook the failings of Australia, of which there are as many technical as value-centric. Such as an almost appalling amount of very obvious green screen, some kitsch, painfully stereotyped moments - the unfailing regularity with which kangaroos appeared in unlikely places was laughable - and the almost caricatured nature of the early parts of the story. Yes, I want to overlook these points because I am Australian, and I really want Australia to be the epic that we were all hoping for.
I guess it's similar to those of us, me included, who seek to overlook the language in Apollo 13, or the intensity of the language and action of a Saving Private Ryan, or Gladiator, or even Braveheart. We want to overlook because there were parts of each of those films that uplifted our human condition.
And so it is with Australia for me. That even though it falls short of the values criteria I seek from movies, it could have been a lot worse, number one. And number 2, it provided an important lesson on the capacity for tolerance that each of us possesses, and the out and out good that can be achieved through holding fast to the equality of man.
That's what Australia did for me. Can I recommend it? I'm not sure. Individuals will have to choose. For non-Australians, to whom this film was clearly targeted, the impressive panoramas, performances of Kidman, Jackman, and the young boy, Brandon Walters, as Nullah, the true hero of the story, will probably impress. But there is much Aussie nuance that will be lost on global audiences. However, there are enough crikeys to keep non-Australian's going, and there's even a croc attack!
Aussies living away from home, will be hard-pressed to restrain the tears, as Japanese bombs land on Australian soil, and the beauty of the landscapes of the northern outback become almost tangible, or the laconic typically Aussie sense of humor comes to life. As an Australian, these things hit you right where you live.
In the end, Australia is far from perfect. But it has many enjoyable elements, greater than those that are either distasteful, or awkward. To me it's a winner, and well worth the effort.
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