12-11-08, 9:29 am
Original source: The Guardian (Australia)
In Baz Luhrmann's blockbuster movie Australia, Nicole Kidman plays English aristocrat Lady Sarah Ashley, who arrives in 1939 at the outback station of Faraway Downs to rescue it from financial ruin. Hugh Jackman plays The Drover, her main hope of doing so.
Bryan Brown is excellent as rival station-owner Leslie Carney, and David Wenham as his very nasty offsider Fletcher. However, best acting credits must go to David Gulpilil as tribal magic man 'King' George, eleven year old Brandon Walters as his grandson Nullah, Ursula Yovich as Nullah's mother, and Angus Pilaku as The Drover's offsider and friend.
A curate's egg
The film's theme concerns racism and the Stolen Generation of Aboriginal children. Unfortunately, despite its redeeming qualities this 'mixed bag' film is nearly ruined by cliches, stereotypes, melodrama and unconvincing acting from its two main stars.
