I saw it and pretty much enjoyed it. Both Kidman and Jackman were, I thought, a little bit self-parodic, which was fun. And I very much enjoyed the look of the film. I just read a scathing review in The New Yorker (by David Denby, I think) who hated everything I liked about it, including the cattle drive sequence. Maybe I was just in the right mood, but I wasn’t bothered by the hokum about King George or the swooping camera shots; I had some popcorn, I was out of the cold, and all was right with the world. Whether it’s a remotely accurate depiction of anything whatsoever about Australia, I can’t say (though I kind of suspect it isn’t).
The problem is that when a director/author make a movie with movies such as “PARIS” “LES PARISIENS” “LA FRANCE” ‘AUSTRALIA", it’s often very pretentious to present an issue, a story, a movie. With such a big title, they emphasize the “attente” (french word) of the “spectateurs” (another french term)…
Myasz, how do you mean “attente” here—the expectations of the audience? I don’t follow you.
I agree to sign a pettition to beg Baz Lurhman, in the name of humanity, PLEASE stop making films!
come on Joseph, Romeo and Juliet was good (good source material helped)…. Moulin Rouge was a chick flick and awful, and Strictly Ballroom was fair…… still, where do I sign?
Yes…the expectation from the audience…
i saw this a few days back and surprised myself by really enjoying it. its really not my sort of thing, but as a christmas epic it worked wonders, especially on a lazy festive afternoon.
doubley.
I would like to sign that PETITION!
I would not sign the petition until I see Austrailia for myself. :)
For all its melodrama and grand gestures, Baz Luhrmann’s masterpiece consummates his genuine faith in beauty and romanticism, no less his national pride for Australia. As a litmus test for the cynical, this film can only age gracefully for certain of us as we mature into an acceptance of our yearnings for beauty and fulfillment.
moon where did u get that qoute?
was it from David Manning
@Den: Quoting myself.
You know, I had heard so much crap about this movie that I was very surprised when I watched it late last year and really enjoyed it. Goes to show everyones tastes are different!
the cattle chasing scene is terrific!
The problem with this movie is that people are expecting too much from it.. so when it turns out that the movie is not that good they got so disappointed..
I know cause it happened to me.
Musycks
Any contributors seen this little epic yet?…. I’ll declare an interest as an Aussie, but I’ll post my thoughts a bit later.