Movie #42 - Australia

Australia
Twentieth Century Fox
2008 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 45 min
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, David Wenham

Back to the A's!

This was my second watch of Baz Luhrmann's epic tribute to Down Under. The first time I saw it, I remember thinking "Wow! How many times can they end this movie?" It could've been because I was preggo and uncomfortable sitting for so long.

This time, I found a new appreciation for this film. I really saw what Luhrmann was trying to do - present an epic tale in the style of early cinema about his beloved home country. I saw elements of Gone with the Wind or Lawrence of Arabia. He was telling a story here, one based on people with real problems at a pivotal time. The movie continues until that story has been told. In this case, we're really following the young half white / half Aboriginal boy Nullah. The action, adventure, and romance are all the backdrop for what is really his journey to acceptance. It's beautifully told and very compelling. I hate when people describe films as compelling (it's like calling modern art "avant garde") but this one really did compel me. I promise.

Definitely worth the watch, even though it is a bit long.