Australia: The movie
Let me start by giving the disclaimer up front, I’ve never been much of a Baz Luhrmann fan. Now don’t start in on me, I’ll tell you what I tell everyone else as they gape at me in disbelief. I understand why people do like him, I think that visually his films are very strong and distinct and I think that he is a good film maker, but I just haven’t liked any of his films so far.
I thought originally that this was to do more with him rather than his subject choices but upon giving it much thought after the shock and horror that others seemed to exhibit when faced with a film fan that doesn’t care for Luhrmann films that I just wasn’t interested in a pimped out Romeo and Juliet, anything to do with ballroom dancing or the Moulin Rouge. Simple as that, and no amount of lavish production was going to move me on that.
So when I saw that he was making a film about Australia called Australia, I admit I groaned inwardly and wondered if we were going to be faced with another ‘Welcome to Woop Woop’ (if you have never seen this film I envy you).
Then I saw the trailer, a couple of times on TV and began to imagine a world in which I like a Baz Luhrmann film, it wasn’t a bad world and with every new piece of footage I’ve seen it seems to be ever likely.
Of course I also thought about the flip side, what if this film is horrible, boring and just plain bad? What if I am the only Australian who doesn’t like Australia? Will they deport me? Will I need to lie? Will I be made watch Neighbours over and over and over and arrrrrrg…
Is it un-Australian to dislike Australia the film?
It looks good so I’m hoping this won’t be a dilemma that I’m forced to face but I was watching one of the morning shows (ironically this morning) and saw that reviews are in fact torn, with certain newspapers that belong to certain media empires calling it boring or cliched whilst the other side of the media applauded and proclaimed the film’s magic. The thing that struck me is that the bad reviews were kind of dismissed as just being a bit un-Australian.
Me I generally dismiss any film review that complains about the use of a cliche, cliches can be great if handled well, it is the not the cliche that hurts a film it is the execution of one. So to point out that a film has cliches is a little like saying it has actors, all films have them you just don’t realise you’re watching one.
So what do you guys think? Is it un-Australian to not support the film Australia? Do you want to see it? And if you are one of the lucky ones who have already seen it was it good?
To be perfectly honest, I’m quite “ho hum” about it really. But then again, I’m not exactly a huge movie buff and I have NO IDEA who that Baz Lurhmann person is you refer to. Me bad?
It’s just a movie. Either you’ll enjoy it or you won’t. And life will go on. Seriously. We promise not to deport you if you don’t like it. And (with any luck) it won’t be on the citizenship test… but with Rudd as Prime Minister I guess I can’t go making any promises.
In more troubling developments, NO CLEAN FEED!
I think its really pretentious to name a film “Australia”. Who says its representative of Australia the country? What if its total crud?
The thing that gets me, is that it’s being proclaimed as Australia’s very own “Gone With The Wind”… but I’m taking it all with a grain of salt.
Gone With The Wind is a classic movie – One that’s stood the test of time. I just don’t understand how they can say that about “Australia”.
As far as I’m concerned, it’s only a big-budget movie that hasn’t even been released yet.
Time will tell, I guess.
I really didnt want to see it, but We are heading down to the gold class cinemas for my birthday and its the only movie that is half decent on, so we have decided to see it.
Although I must say, the trailer made me quite interested…
[...] I just did a guest post over at the Aussie Bloggers Blog about the film Australia. [...]
What’s in a name after all?
The constant ads on telly have turned us off the damn movie, every chat show is yabbering about it, every other page in the print media is critiquing it, Nicole’s face is plastered everywhere (that’s not counting the Botox and putty filler) although there could never be too much exposure of Hugh Jackman…but I’m sick of the flick already
I’m a German migrating to Australia next year. I’ve spent 5 years in Australia so far and I’m already kind of tired to see more and more cliche material about this country. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful place to live. I’m a city person and as much as I appreciate the countryside every now and again, I find it a little sad how Australia is only represented in movies by showing rough country cowboys with bogan sounding dialects… that’s not Australia to me – sorry.
It’s just a movie, you will other like it or not.
One of the ways to consider whether a movie works for you is to think whether you’d bother to sit in for a second viewing. I can’t wait to see Baz Luhrmann’s Australia for the second time on Sunday night.
It’ll be a struggle for me simply because there’s only so much reality based in a movie. It seems to me (at this stage) that it’s all glitzy etc – I guess I know the Kimberley to be so much MORE then that… but as has been said – it’s just a movie afterall – so what the hell am I doing expecting it to be so much more? Well – hype has it’s pluses and minuses – and in this case, if I’m not mistaken the hype says a world of things about Oz, that mightn’t necessarily be the case. As an Aussie – I’m not sure I want to be measured by such as this… how about you mob?
Time will tell I guess – so I’ll just Hurry Up and Wait! Cheers
Its a pretty good looking film. You will need a little patience to get through the opening prologue. When you see it, it will be obvious to you that the director is Baz Luhrmann as I’m sure it will remind you of “Strictly Ballroom”. Don’t let that scare you though, it is very watchable. I’m concerned that no one has mentioned David Gulilpil’s role as “King George” I think its the best portrayal of the ‘Noble Savage’ in cinematic history. Given the film has borrowed from so many cinema classics and presents in such a 1930′s (I’m thinking Gone with the Wind sort of) style, it would at least warrant a mention?
Yes, I agree entirely with you about cliches. You couldn’t have said it better. I read a review in an English paper that castigated the film for its use of cliches. The reviewer had a particular dislike of aborigines, boomerangs and kangroos. They also mentioned Rolf Harris’ wobble board but I didn’t hear it. The comments that the review attracted were all mainly a vilification of Australians in general rather than the film itself…and then said “All Australians have chips on their shoulders.” Anyway “Australia” has plenty of cliches and they’re all good.
its unaustralian to not speak your own truth….
I loved the film. I loved romeo and juliet and moulon rough or whatever you call it was a coplete waste of time for me.
I’d bet $50 you will not like this film.
I only want to watch this film for the scenery shots, and in hope it may be a great film. I’m not looking forward to seeing the painful ‘our nic’ Kidman (groan). I could not get myself through the movie, Moulin Rouge, so I’ll be interested to see how this one pans out, hohoho, for me!
I think most Australians would forget, or not realise: this isn’t made for us. It’s made for an overseas audience who largely never gets to see Aussie films because we can’t compete with Hollywood. This movie is also designed to keep people interested in our local film industry, which has been languishing over the last few years due to bad or no funding from the government, a decrease in the cost of overseas films (to show here), our Aussie actors heading to the states or UK to find work, etc etc.
I haven’t seen the movie, and don’t plan to, but expect it to be a fairly superficial offering for bored Americans. I do however, think it’s good to encourage more Aussie films, particularly as they raise the profile of our small but excellent home-grown talent.
(By the way, I also think that stereotypes were used because that’s also the only way to attract overseas audiences. America loves Crocodile Dundee, and Priscilla and Muriel’s Weddings were cult hits over there because of their Aussie ‘kookiness’. This film is clearly pitched at that sort of audience)
As an Australian living overseas, it is just another over the top, unrealistic, embarrassment
I see at least one to two movies a week so I consider I can give an unbiased comment about Australia.
I saw the movie to day and I loved it. I though that the cast were excellent, the photography was excellent and the story was excellent.
I could not imagine anyone else but Nicole playing that role, she played the part well. I am not a great fan hers but give credit were it is due.
After hearing such mixed reports my expectations were not high, once again it proves dont listen to critics, they dont seem to comprehend that movies are for entertainment and this movie did that.
I personally though that the movie had everything, humor, drama, emotion the lot.
Congratulations Baz.
Go see it for yourself make your own decision, its worth seeing
Can I Just say that I loved the movie. It was a fantastic and guess what it won’t do well in the US cos it’s not about the US. It’s about a very beautiful country which is so magical and unless you’ve been there you won’t appreciate the magnificence a guess what 60% of the US don’t have a passport so they will find it hard to comprehend unless it’s situated in NY. Unless you’ve been outback or a proud Aussie ut’s never gonna fly in the US. And in fairness how fucking gorgeous was Hugh Jackman and annoying as Nicole Kidman is she was endearingly funny after that was the role. As a paddy I’ll tip my hat and say I loved this movie and it’s a credit to Australia as a country!
Lesley
Can I just to PJ on the 6th of Dec, what part is unrealistic? Are u from Sydney?
Can I also say that Na3 is talking through her ass. Empty vessels make most noise!