Australia: Review By TXCANY

Baz Luhrmann has created a new sweeping epic set down in Australia. At a recent Q&A I attended he explained the title wasn't chosen just for the land where the movie is set but rather for "that place which seems so far away, almost unreachable."

Lady Ashley (Nicole Kidman) arrives down unda to find the cattle ranch her husband owned and managed is being sabotaged in an effort to create a beef monopoly for cattle tycoon Mr. Carney (Bryan Brown). A small aboriginal boy named Nullah (Brandon Walters) spurs the story into action revealing the sinister plot to Lady Ashley. Ashley decided to take on Carney and reclaim the land and cattle and enlist the help of Drover (Hugh Jackman) whom she mixes with like oil and water until each discover a different side to one another.

The film has a running time of 2:30 yet it feels like at least 3. Baz could have cut the film and retained the essence and story. The visuals are stunning and you will have a hard time telling CGI from reality in many of the aerial shots of Australia. This is definitely a 3-act play with moments of laughter, sadness, emotion and anxiety.