I absolutely loved this film. Yes, it has a running time close to the three hour mark, but it sure doesn't feel like it.
It is a truly ambitious, beautiful, and delightful film. I can't recommend it highly enough.
Is it for everyone? Probably not, as I don't think the younger generation is going to "get it". The older crowd is really who this film is for.
If you find yourself enjoying films along the lines of "The African Queen", "Gone with the Wind" and "Dances with Wolves", you'll be right at home with "Australia".
Set in northern Australia before World War II, Nicole Kidman plays Lady Sarah Ashley, an English aristocrat who travels down-under in order to protect her late husband's property from a takeover plot.
Lady Ashley is joined by the Drover (played well enough by Hugh Jackman), who helps her drive 2,000 head of cattle over unforgiving landscape to Darwin, a city at the northern tip of Australia.
Kidman and Jackman don't do any earth shattering work in the film. The standout is newcomer Brandon Walters as Nullah, a young Australian aborigine. This kid is amazing, and manages to out act two of the world's biggest stars.
Director Baz Luhrmann is quickly becoming one of my favorite directors. Even though he's only directed four films his entire career, I'm impressed by his willingness to experiment with different genres.
Between "Australia", "Moulin Rouge", "Romeo + Juliet", and "Strictly Ballroom", Luhrmann has proved his willingness to dazzle his audiences with sights they've never seen…yet seem very familiar.
There is a lot out there to see this holiday season, make sure you take the time to sit in on a screening on "Australia".
4 buckets.
