Film review: Australia

plot

Aristocratic lady Sarah Ashley flies from England to Australia to find out what her husband is doing on his cattle farm. She is being picked up from the airport by 'Drover', one of the men working for her husband, who is to driver her to the estate 'Faraway Downs'. The contrast between the two couldn't have been bigger. He is a rugged cattle driver who hangs out with Aboriginals, she is freaked out by everything that is dusty, has legs or hair. It is 1939, war is coming and the cattle have to be taken to the city to be sold to the military for their meat. The army is willing to pay a high price. The problem is that the ranching industry in the Territory is dominated by the ruthless King Carney, who does not take kindly to competition. Mr. Ashley is found dead when Sarah arrives at the Downs, supposedly murdered by an old Aboriginal 'magic man' King George.

The story is being told by Nullah, a boy who lives on the Downs. His mother works there. His unacknowledged father is Neil Fletcher, King Carney's son in law, whose mission is to get Faraway Downs into Carney's hands no matter what it takes. Nullah is a so-called 'creamy', a child with mixed background. Creamies are to be taken to a home run by the church to be trained as waiters for the white folk. The time this film is set in was extremely racist towards Aboriginals and creamies. Nullah is King George's grandchild, and he has been training him to become a magic man too. Nullah tells Sarah that Neil Fletcher is stealing her cattle, has killed her husband and is working for King Carney. She fires Fletcher, decides to take over the farm and drive the 2000 head of cattle across the country herself, which is where the story begins.

Drover takes the lead in driving the cattle, but Neil Fletcher and King Carney try to stop them in every possible way. People die, get injured; it's not a very happy story. Nullah gets deported to an island with other children and the war hits. In the midst of all of this, Sarah and the Drover fall in love... This may sound a little too cliché for your liking, but Lurhman has put in some sarcastic twists and cruel jokes that makes Australia very uncliché.

Acting

This film is all Australian: shot in Australia with only Australian actors. Main roles are played by Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Both actors perform well, as was to be expected, and are extremely easy on the eyes. Ladies, look out for the shower scene during the ride in the car up to the farm! Kidman shows the development of Sarah from aristocrat to lady-from-the-Downs very distinctly. Bad guy Neil Fletcher is played by David Wenham, who was Faramir in the Lord of the Rings films. He is a very decent mean man, with The real stars in this film are the Aboriginals, most of all Brandon Walters, who plays Nullah. His big brown eyes and funny words make everyone like him instantly.

Verdict: Decent story, nice views - including the people! - and great actors. Though it's long, it doesn't get boring. Australia is epic, heartwarming and definitely one to watch.

Imre