Australia epic in length and scope

By Jackie Ammons     12/4/08 6:00pm

The newly-released film Australia is nothing short of fantastic. Its breathtaking cinematography, genuinely believable actors and epic plot are sure to attract Academy Award nods and happy audiences.Australia tells the story of World War II-era Englishwoman Sarah Ashley (The Golden Compass' Nicole Kidman), who flies to Darwin, Australia, to visit her philandering husband and his bankrupt ranching company.

After her husband's murder, Sarah takes over the ranch and sets out to break the corrupt beef monopoly of King Carney (Along Came Polly's Bryan Brown) and Neil Fletcher (Married Life's David Wenham) with the help of "the Drover" (Happy Feet's Hugh Jackman). Amidst Japanese attacks on Australia, Sarah and the Drover also manage to aid the half-Aboriginal, half white children the government has forced to leave their families.

The respective roles of the hard-headed but proper Sarah Ashley and the roguish but gentlemanly Drover appropriately fit Kidman and Jackman, as both actors not only fill their roles, but also add to each others' characters with great on-screen chemistry. The fact that Kidman is originally from Australia adds yet another perk to the film and lends credit to her character's believability.

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Kidman's character finds a perfect complement in her costumes, with Sarah Ashley transitioning from her flawlessly pressed traveling suits to her rumpled, dirty riding blouse and cowboy hat. Jackman's Drover also gracefully evolves from the scruffy cowboy wearing a ratty work shirt to the James Bond-style suit for a dinner party.

The actors and actresses in Australia are quite impressive but are second only to the breathtaking landscape of the Australian outback captured by the film's talented cinematographer, Mandy Walker. Filmed entirely in Australia, the movie's setting in the colonized Australian cities and the outback jungles and deserts brings a unique perspective to the world down under.

Accentuating the film's pristine vistas, Australia's musical score, composed by David Hirschfelder, is no less impressive. The soundtrack's cascading lyrics succeed in matching the other outstanding aspects of the film.

In combination with the moving score and cinematography, Australia brings to life a spiritual aspect of the country. The Aboriginal witch doctor King George (Crocodile Dreaming's David Gulpilil) adds his and his grandson Nullah's (newcomer Brandon Walters) own native singing voices, tribal costume and makeup to the sights and sounds of the film, creating an element of mystique within this reality-filled war movie.

The only downside of Australia is its length. Lasting almost three hours, Australia reaches for the epic length of Gone with the Wind. When the audience believes that the film is about to end, it always seems that one more problem or extension of the plot arises so as to extend the film's viewing time. Still, in spite of Australia's length, the movie manages to keep the audience's attention with its fabulous panoramas and exceptional actors.

Australia's length makes it a film to watch only once in a while, but the other aspects of the film, such as Kidman, Jackman and the cinematography, make it one that will certainly capture numerous awards, including several of February's Academy Awards.

Its soon-to-be-awarded qualities also make the film enjoyable and entertaining for audiences. It combines a pleasurable viewing experience with a heart-filling, history-based message.

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