"Australia" was anticipated to be a return to the kind of epic storytelling audiences would adore, critics would acclaim and award shows would reward. It didn't quite work out as anticipated. Budgeted at an estimated $130 million, the film received less than $50 million at the box office. While not completely overlooked at the awards shows, no major award nominations came its way. And Baz Lurhman's return to directing since 2001's successful "Moulin Rouge" was concluded without much ado. But was the final product any good?
The story is set "down under" between 1939 and 1942. Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) comes to Australia to coax her husband away from the cattle ranch he's running called "Far Away Downs." A tragedy leaves the care of the ranch and its residents to Lady Ashley. The business is in trouble due to outside influence by King Carney, the cattle baron of Australia. With the assistance of an independently-minded drover (Hugh Jackman, "The Prestige") – Australia's version of a cowboy – and an Aboriginal boy, Ashley must drive a herd of cattle to sale to rescue the ranch. Along the way, she begins to have feelings for the rugged country and its people.
The time leading up to World War II hasn't been captured from the Australian perspective in mainstream American film. Along with the pending war, the country has its own problems including discrimination against the Aborigines. Capturing the stories of three people against this rich backdrop proves difficult for Lurhman. The boy is given voiceover duties, trying to explain much of the narrative to the viewer in broken, heavily-accented English, but many of the details were lost in the telling. Parts of the story are rushed, as characters move from one place rapidly to another. The cattle drive takes up less of the film than anticipated, leaving a "now what?" moment two-thirds of the way into the plot.
The performances are satisfactorily presented by the two leads and the many supporting characters. I believed in the historical context of the story and felt an emotional attachment to the characters by the end. Some of the gimmicks used in "Moulin Rouge" – like the quick cuts and high-speed zooms – felt out of place in this old Hollywood-style epic, but are sparingly used. There are moments of great excitement and drama, but the whole picture doesn't have the same continuous flow. Those who enjoy epic storytelling and have patience for some rough patches in the plot may enjoy "Australia" quite a bit.
Rated PG-13 for some violence, a scene of sensuality and brief strong language.
