Some early reviews have criticised the length of the “Australia.” At the media conference, Baz Luhrmann said he didn't expect everyone to like it but was hoping it would become a classic.
“It is between the film and the audience,” he said of the reviews at the press conference, describing the film as an epic in the style of ‘Out of Africa' or ‘Gone with the Wind.' I wanted to make a film that everyone could go and see.”
Nicole Kidman said the film's release should be reason for the whole country to celebrate: “This is a celebration for me and hopefully for this country, she said, It's not meant to be the second coming, but it is meant to be let's have fun and enjoy it.”
Of her famed kissing scene with Jackman, Kidman joked: “Obviously we were in character, but it was good to go to work.”
Australia – red carpet photos
Kidman said Australia might be her final film as she concentrates on motherhood: “I'm in a place in my life where I have had some great opportunities. I may just choose to have some more children. I have no idea what is in my future, but I'm very at peace with where I want to be. There are many things I want to do besides act.”
Hugh Jackman called his character the greatest role he's ever had. He revealed his eight-year-old son Oscar also had a small part in Australia: “He did four days' work and he decided it was so boring he never wanted to do it again.”
Earlier this week we posted the first “Australia” review. Today you can read what the critics are saying about Baz Luhrmann's new movie.
“Baz Luhrmann's long-awaited, and over-budget epic Australia manages, against the odds, to avoid turning into one big sunburnt stereotype about Godzone country. Instead, in what turns out to be a multi-layered story it describes an Australia of the 1940s that is at once compellingly, beautiful and breathtakingly cruel.” (Anne Barrowlcough, The Times online) full story
“Baz Luhrmann has delivered a shamelessly melodramatic, often eccentric spectacle with true-blue blockbuster potential. The most expensive Australian film ever made is rousing and passionate.
Despite some cringe-making Harlequin Romance moments between homegrown Hollywood stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, the 1940s-set Australia defies all but the most cynical not to get carried away by the force of its grandiose imagery and storytelling.” (Megan Lehmann, The Hollywood Reporter) full story
“The film is not without flaws, it's not the masterpiece that we were hoping for, but I think you could say that it's a very good film in many ways. While it will be very popular with many people I think there's a slight air of disappointment after it all.”
“Despite its flaws – and it certainly has flaws – I think Australia is an impressive and important film, and if I were to give it a star rating I would give it three-and-a-half out of five.” (David Stratton, The Australian) full story
“As you watch, memories of other movie moments flicker into view. The film's orange skies conjure up Gone With The Wind. Yet Nicole Kidman's transplanted English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley, looks to be claiming kinship with Meryl Streep's Karen Blixen in Out Of Africa.”
“A big-hearted melodrama, it takes a series of fascinating risks, some of which come off. But it's no super-movie.” (Sandra Hall, Sydney Morning Herald) full story
“While it's unlikely to surpass Australian classics such as Gallipoli, Muriel's Wedding or Newsfront on all-time favourite local lists, it's a homegrown movie that deserves to be seen (not something that can be said for many recent Australian productions).” (Des Partridge, The Courier-Mail) full story
“Luhrmann has given himself a huge challenge with an overload of themes, styles, events and characters. He holds it together and delivers a huge entertainment with moments of greatness. It's corny, I know, it's also a film that has the looks as big as it's title.” (Stan James, The Adelaide Advertiser) full story
“If only Baz had made the damn thing shorter by at least half an hour.” (Jim Schembri, Canberra Time) full story
Awful movie. Hugh was good but Kidman was terrible.It was like watching Hugh trying to get sexy with a plastic mannequin. And her lips and forehead are totally distracting. Not to mention she whispers her lines instead of speaking like a normal person. It was waaaay to long It was a total waste of time and money.
Quite a disaster. The film was incoherent and poorly directed. Hugh’s acting was strong although Kidnman was less impressive. The musical score was unmemorable and colourless although well orchestrated.
Fantastic. Both my husband and I loved it. A sensitive story, some tongue in cheek humour and how beautiful is Australia?. I would suggest comparisons to other epics like Gone With The Wind, and not everyone loves them. And not everyone could sit and watch Gone with the Wind today. We are too busy, too impatient, demand perfection and love cynicism. Nor do we understand Walkabout. The central storyline is perhaps missed by those who could no sooner spend an hour in the outback than be on the first plane back to their home comforts and flicking through the Tv channels. A great film and a great story.
Loved it, I thought Hugh was great and Nicole was perfect, whispering?? think you might have been in a different movie – there was no whispering especially during the cattle scences. It will be one that I will see again – even made my hubby a bit teary :)
This movie was one of the most boring movies i have ever seen….well actually i fell asleep in the first 45 minutes of it. Starting off, I had no idea where it was going. The plot was awful, all over the place, and didnt have a POINT. I really did try to give the thing a chance, but I just couldnt keep my eyes open! the only GOOD thing about this movie is the cinematography. Everything else is CRAP! Did I mention that Nicole Kidman acted horribly in this film?? WAY too overdramatic. The film kept dragging on and on and never seemed to get anywhere. And when the end DID come, I felt like it was a complete waste because there was no excitement or point to the movie.
This movie suks big time
The central storyline is perhaps missed by those who could no sooner spend an hour in the outback than be on the first plane back to their home comforts and flicking through the Tv channels.
Loved it, I thought Hugh was great and Nicole was perfect, whispering?? think you might have been in a different movie – there was no whispering especially during the cattle scences. It will be one that I will see again – even made my hubby a bit teary :)