Baz the Great! - A Baz Luhrmann Fansite

It's been seven years since Moulin Rouge! was unleashed on cinema audiences around the world. Watching that film changed my life forever and made me the devoted Baz Luhrmann fan that I am today. Since then, I have closely followed Luhrmann's other projects, including his acclaimed Broadway production of La Bohème, his stunning Chanel No. 5 film, and the fascinating UK television programme, My Shakespeare. However, it has been the ongoing promise of another motion picture that has excited me most of all. It was widely known that Luhrmann was planning to move on from his Red Curtain Trilogy and start a bold new series of historical epics. The first instalment was originally set to be his version of Alexander the Great, but unfortunately Oliver Stone bet him to it. After a period of uncertainty, it was revealed that Luhrmann was planning another epic that centred on the magnificence of his very own country, Australia. And so my own epic journey began in following the making of this movie from its early conception through until its eventual release. On 26 November 2008, Baz Luhrmann's Australia opened across Australia and the US and I was finally able to experience this much-anticipated film. As I am Australian myself, I was eager to support the movie and pre-booked tickets to opening night. I saw the movie twice before writing down my thoughts and I would highly recommend reading my review only after you have seen the film, as my review reveals many details that would be considered as 'spoilers'. The following review is split into sub-headings, in no particular order, but hopefully covering the major aspects of this remarkable film.

Aboriginal Cast

The first thing that I feel compelled to mention is the absolutely stellar performances of the Aboriginal cast in this film. I was totally blown away by the pure emotion that was conveyed by these vital characters. Ursula Yovich as Nullah's mother, Daisy, is amazing. She doesn't have many lines, but the emotion she conveys in her face and through her actions is heartbreaking. Lillian Crombie as Bandy Legs also had the same effect on me. I found both characters to be very moving, especially in scenes depicting their roles as carers for young Nullah. David Gulpilil as King George has a haunting and demanding onscreen presence and his scenes create an intense and magical atmosphere throughout the film. And then there is David Ngoombujarra in what I believe is one of the most astounding roles in the film. His character, Magarri, has a special bond with the Drover and provides much-needed support and guidance. But tragically, his loyalty to the Drover becomes his downfall when he chooses to sacrifice himself for the sake of his beloved friend and the vulnerable Mission Island children. I found this scene to be one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the film. The look on Magarri's face as he turns his head towards the Drover while he lies dying on the beach was poignant. To me, he looked so scared, yet so proud that his death meant that so many others could live.

Brandon Walters gives an astonishing and heartfelt performance as Nullah. It's hard to believe that this young boy had never acted before Baz Luhrmann plucked him from obscurity and unleashed his raw yet undeniable talent upon the world. Walters provides an immense depth to his role that goes far beyond the expected limitations of his young age. His onscreen presence depicts a maturity well beyond his years and his large brown eyes convey a deep level of understanding. His singing is mystically haunting, and his connection with King George is made entirely convincing as his young face effectively channels the wisdom and teachings of his grandfather. His need to go 'walkabout' is an ongoing theme throughout the film that also affects the Drover and, in particular, Lady Ashley, who is at first reluctant to let him go but later realises that she must. Lady Ashley finally understands, at the end of her long and confronting journey, that Nullah must embark on his own traditional passage of self-discovery.

There are many scenes in Australia featuring Walters that are highly emotive. His opening sequence at the billabong, his initial meeting with Lady Ashley, and the enormously breathtaking scene at the cliff face where he miraculously forces the stampeding cattle to come to a halt. One of the most emotive scenes, for me, was near the beginning of the film when Nullah is running away from his vindictive white father, Neil Fletcher. The chase is intense and when Fletcher catches the boy, he repeatedly strikes him. Fletcher's attack on Nullah is brutal and unforgiving. He unleashes his anger and frustration on the boy despite Daisy and Bandy Legs hysterically pleading for him to stop. When Lady Ashley confronts Fletcher and delivers him a strapping blow, I was completely breathless. It is an extremely powerful scene and is one of several scenes in the film that effectively show the cruelty and prejudice of this time in Australia's history.

The film is open and unflinching in its portrayal of the social attitudes at this point in Australia's history. It depicts a time when Aboriginal children were forcibly removed from their families and would come to be known as the Stolen Generations. Nullah is one such child. Added to this is the fact that he is also a half white, half Aboriginal child, repeatedly referred to as 'creamy' in the film, which makes him even more of an outcast to white society. When we first meet Nullah, we quickly learn that he lives with the constant fear of being separated from his mother. When his mother tragically dies trying to protect him, Lady Ashley steps into the parental role and accepts him for who he is, bravely standing up to all those who try to persecute him. It is a powerful storyline that runs throughout the movie with the purposeful intent to leave a lingering and thought provoking effect on the audience.

The Opening

It can be said that the first 20 minutes or so of Australia has a different feel to it than the remainder of the movie. This is because Baz Luhrmann has used his trademark flair and unique stylisation to create a heightened world that provides a comedic introduction to Lady Ashley and the Drover. After the powerful introduction to Nullah, we are transported to England where we 'meet' the uptight English aristocrat that is Lady Ashley. As she travels to Australia, we are introduced to the Drover as he is confronted by the prejudice of the townspeople of Darwin and unleashes his anger by lashing out at pub patrons. The resulting meeting of Lady Ashley and the Drover is highly amusing and played out with great comedic effect. This comedy elements continue in their truck journey to the cattle station, Faraway Downs, with the uptight lady and larrikin Drover playing off each other with witty dialogue. One of the most hilarious scenes, for me, was the kangaroo sequence. As Lady Ashley excitedly oohs and ahs at the 'lovely' kangaroos bounding along beside their vehicle, a shot rings out and she is mortified when the dead creature is flung across the front of the truck. Her look of disgust as a trickle of blood runs down the windscreen is a classic!

The comedy continues when, that night, both Lady Ashley and the movie audience are treated to what has come to be known as 'the bucket scene'. We can't help but laugh as Lady Ashley peeks sheepishly out of her tent, a look of bewildered wonder on her face as she watches the Drover pour water over his half naked body, glistening in the moonlight in all his manly glory! During this scene, there is also a cheeky camera shot that flashes down to the Drover's groin as Lady Ashley desperately struggles to keep her admiring gaze at eye level! :)

Once Lady Ashley reaches Faraway Downs and discovers her dead husband, the film adopts a more traditional style of storytelling. However, some comedic elements continue for a while longer as Lady Ashley struggles to adapt to the Australian landscape and the droving way of life. The sequence where she is learning to muster the cattle is particularly amusing! And Jack Thompson's portrayal of her drunken yet loyal accountant also adds comedic elements to scenes that are often more serious in their overall nature. I believe Jack Thompson portrayed Kipling Flynn with great effect. While Flynn initially appears to be merely a comedic character, he soon reveals more depth and also an admirable loyalty to Lady Ashley and her plight. His ultimate demise is tragic, and perhaps it is at this point that the movie enters into and continues thereafter in a much more serious tone.

As a Baz Luhrmann fan, I was pleased to see that he has retained some of his comedic flair in the opening of Australia. However, given the subject matter of the film, particularly the Aboriginal elements, I believe that Luhrmann would have known it would not have been suitable to conduct the entire film in this way. The storytelling style did need to adopt a more serious atmosphere to effectively convey the powerful elements involved in this film. Luhrmann's wonderful direction is still evident, from his wide shots of remarkable scenery to the intense and powerful close-ups. The cinematography of this film is breathtaking. The stunning landscapes play an integral part in the movie and Luhrmann's initially reluctant decision to tie in this film with a campaign for Tourism Australia looks certain to be a beneficial one. Australia is a magnificent homage to his country and he has courageously chosen to make central to the story the plight of the Aboriginal people. While maintaining some of his trademark comedic flair, the majority of the film plays out like more of a traditional epic, while overall retaining Luhrmann's heightened style. It can definitely be said that this film is unique. It is original and it delves into subject matter that few films have dealt with before, especially on such a large, big budget scale. Luhrmann himself has openly admitted that he has been inspired by epics such as Gone With The Wind and The African Queen. Australia is similar but, at the same time, it is different. The film is unique and relevant and powerful – it definitely has the look and feel and overall effect of a Baz Luhrmann movie.

The Drover and Lady Sarah Ashley

Hugh Jackman gives a stunning portrayal of the complex character that is the Drover. In his opening scenes in particular, I believe his portrayal is reminiscent of that of Wolverine, another intense character with a dark and mysterious past who has lost his way. Both characters have their comedic moments while maintaining an overall serious intensity. Originally, the Drover did have a name that was revealed in the film and there was much speculation about its potential significance. However, the Drover's real name was later omitted from the movie and we can only assume that it was of little importance. The character that is the Drover has a mysterious past and we learn that he does not adhere to the conventions of white society. He once had an Aboriginal wife and he has been outcast ever since, hence why he has adopted the solitary lifestyle of that of a drover. His special bond with his friend, Magarri, is a particularly touching storyline. However, it is his relationship with Lady Ashley that is most central to the development of his character. The Drover's connection with her leads him to reassess his life and priorities and let love into his heart once again.

Despite his intensity, it has to be admitted that the Drover does have some dialogue that is uniquely Australian. In particular, some people may cringe a little at hearing the repeated use of the word 'crikey'. This particular word has a stereotypical connection to Australian consciousness that some people may find a bit distracting. However, I believe that Jackman makes this dialogue believable in the context of the film. Obviously, Luhrmann has chosen this word to retain an Australian feel whenever the Drover thinks to himself 'oh no' (or something similar!) Even Lady Ashley starts using the word 'crikey', which presumably is meant to symbolise how she is adapting to new Australian customs. I believe the word is a symbolic gesture that is meant to make the audience smile. There are several other symbolic gestures throughout the film, but the use of Australian dialogue is probably something that will leave a lasting effect on a variety of people.

Nicole Kidman gives a brilliant performance as Lady Sarah Ashley. I believe she handles the transformation from uptight aristocratic lady to a much more laidback and easy-going individual with great effect. Lady Ashley's transformation is central to the storyline of the film. At first, she is fearful of the unknown, but gradually she falls in love with many aspects of Australia – the landscape, the way of life, the Drover, Nullah, and the home where she decides she belongs, Faraway Downs. Her character is also pivotal to the movie in that she takes on a caring role for Nullah and helps guide him towards the man he is destined to become. At first, she is reluctant to let him go, but by the end of the film and the completion of her own personal journey, she understands what must be done. One of her most heartfelt sequences is when she runs after Nullah on the wharf, desperately pleading with authorities that he be allowed to stay with her. Another touching scene is when she attempts to comfort Nullah after his mother dies. I believe that this complete scene plays out much better than it did in the trailer for the film. In the trailer, snippets were used and, for some reason, I did not feel they were very effective. However, the complete scene in the film itself is wonderful and Lady Ashley's attempt to sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow again touches on the comedic elements of this film, transforming tragic circumstances into new hope for Nullah as he declares that they must commence the cattle drove to Darwin.

Captain Dutton

The remainder of the supporting cast was generally good given their restricted roles and limited screen presence. In particular, Ben Mendelsohn demonstrated much potential as Captain Dutton, although it was clear to me that his performance showed there was more going on with his character than we saw in the final cut of the film. As I had followed the making of this movie, I had previously read that Mendelsohn was originally cast as the third romantic lead. However, this storyline was obviously cut from the final film. I believe that, generally, quite a lot footage would have been omitted, because with a running time of 165 minutes, there was only so much story in this multi-layered movie that Luhrmann could tell. I guess I can see why Captain Dutton's romantic storyline was cut, as it would have complicated things and interfered with the exclusive relationship portrayed between the Drover and Lady Ashley. However, I do believe there are still some remaining scenes in the film that clearly show what could have been.

The scene where Lady Ashley excitedly enters the room at Faraway Downs thinking that Dutton has come to visit her indicates that he has done so frequently while the Drover has been away. Also, in the war scenes, we can sense that Dutton has a definite attachment to Lady Ashley. Both characters look startled and a bit awkward when Dutton sees Lady Ashley embracing the Drover and Nullah on the wharf. Dutton seems to have accepted that Lady Ashley's heart has always belonged to the Drover but, in this scene, it seems he can't help but feel a bit hurt and defeated. The image that affected me most of all was when we see Dutton standing with the Mission Island children on the back of the truck as it drives away; the distressed look on his face as he realises he may never see Lady Ashley again. In the final cut of film, some people may wonder why he looks so upset, but I guess the audience could assume that, instead of a broken heart, he has been affected by the terrible death and destruction he has witnessed during the Japanese attack on Darwin.

CGI Usage

While most of this movie was shot on location in Australia, the use of some CGI was inevitable in a film of this scope and magnitude. Other reviewers have commented about the use of CGI in this film, with some people saying it was too obvious. The fact of the matter is that many scenes could not have been put together without the use of CGI; it is a common practice these days and so of course the audience may well notice these effects. Also, much of the CGI was intended to look like it had been painted onto the screen, like a picture book. These effects were added in order to portray a heightened look, as a homage to the old epics. It is an intentionally stylised movie throughout and, overall, I did not find the CGI to be distracting. I found the Darwin bombings to be explosively effective and, although the planes did not appear for long, we must remember that this film was not entirely about the war; the war was only one of many events that featured in a multi-layered movie. I believe that one of the most remarkable scenes involving CGI was the cattle stampede where hundreds of frightened beasts run towards the cliff face. This was an exhilarating ride and my favourite action sequence in the movie. The use of CGI is evident throughout the film, but we must remember that Luhrmann used CGI effects as sparingly as possible when it came to the backdrop of this movie. His aim was to conduct an epic shoot in the Australian outback to make the film look as authentic as possible, and I would say that the beautiful landscapes and stunning cinematography definitely show that this has been superbly achieved.

The Soundtrack

David Hirschfelder has created a sweeping score to accompany this magnificent film. The soundtrack is original, but it also contains strong elements of two well known songs. The first is the traditional and highly recognised Australian song, Waltzing Matilda. Instrumental chords from this tune are prevalent in the score throughout the entire movie. Also, after Lady Ashley and her team arrive in Darwin, the patrons of the local pub are loudly singing the song. I believe the repeated use of Waltzing Matilda throughout the film is very effective. It is a popular song that gives the score a traditionally Australian feel. The other highly entertaining Australian aspect of the soundtrack is the use of Rolf Harris and his famous wobble board! This highly entertaining music was used throughout the 'heightened' opening of the film to great effect. It is also played during the end credits of the movie and, personally, I really enjoyed it. Indeed, the sound of the wobble board always brings a smile to my face, so I believe it was a most fitting instrumental addition to the film.

The second song that is strongly featured in the soundtrack is Somewhere Over The Rainbow. This song originates when Lady Ashley attempts to sing a few lines to a grieving Nullah. Flynn later plays the tune on his harmonica and Nullah then adopts the tune as his 'song' to 'call Lady Ashley to him'. Nullah playing the tune as he sits at the front of the boat carrying the Mission Island children through the mist back to the mainland is one of the most hauntingly moving scenes in the film. Somewhere Over The Rainbow is also heard in its original form in the movie, The Wizard of Oz, as Nullah sits watching it at the Darwin theatre, transfixed by the onscreen magic of his first cinematic experience. There are also chords from the song scattered throughout the instrumental score of the film. It is clear that the Wizard of Oz and its famous song have a strong influence throughout Australia. There are some light parallels between the two films, and perhaps the meaning behind it all is that in order to find your way home, you must undertake a long and emotional journey of self-discovery that will ultimately bring you the fulfilment you desire.

While we must remember that this is a Baz Luhrmann film - it is highly stylised and not meant to be overly realistic - I'm aiming to write somewhat of an objective review. I shall therefore point out some minor factors that I found to be a bit distracting in my initial viewings of the movie:

The Time Line

Australia is set between 1939 and 1942. Near the beginning of the film, we see written onscreen, 'September 1939', and near the end of the movie Darwin is bombed by the Japanese, which occurred in February 1942. Since most people do not even realise that Darwin was attacked during the war, it might have been beneficial for the date to have been displayed onscreen. While there are references to World War II throughout the movie and audiences would know that it was the early 1940's, perhaps a date could have been added in order to raise awareness of the Darwin bombings? To me, the film does not really give a clear indication of how much time has passed between Lady Ashley's arrival in Australia and the bombing of Darwin. When Lady Ashley is staying at Faraway Downs, we hear that the Drover would go away for 6 months at a time, but it is not established how many times this occurred. Then, when Nullah is captured and sent to Mission Island, he tells us that he was on the island for 2 months, but by then it was not long before the bombings occurred. However, overall, this is a minor observation and most people would not have thought anything of it. Another minor factor is that Nullah was essentially the narrator of the film, and yet his commentary covered many scenes where he wasn't present. However, this is a common storytelling device that occurs in a multitude of films and isn't something that audiences generally notice anyway.

Red Herrings

I have to admit there were a couple of brief parts of the storyline that didn't entirely make sense to me; a couple of so-called red herrings. When Lady Ashley and her team are droving the cattle up to Darwin, they are guided by King George to a fresh source of water in the outback. Nullah tells us that they rode for three days but then there is a dust storm and we see images of characters lying in the sand. We are then taken to Darwin, where the local newspapers indicate that Lady Ashley and her team have perished. One of the characters even says that a pilot swooped down and saw them. However, suddenly the cattle appears in the streets and Lady Ashley and her team ride triumphantly into town. Personally, this brief scenario didn't work for me. I believe it would have been better if there was just a scene showing King Carney relishing in the fact that his competitors had not arrived in time and he would therefore sell his cattle. He really had no need to be worried about the competition, as he thought they had been 'taken care of' by Fletcher. It is a small gripe but, to me, the ambiguity surrounding the fate of the lead characters at this point was not effective. Additionally, I was not fond of the hospital scene near the end of the film where a dead body is declared to be that of Lady Ashley. Captain Dutton soon makes the correction that the body is in fact that of Cath Fletcher. I can see how this was set up to create suspense about the fate of Lady Ashley. We can see that she and Cath Fletcher had similar hairstyles when they changed shifts at the control room and, when the planes attack, we see the back of a woman's head as she walks towards the window before it shatters. To me, this did appear to be Lady Ashley and, if it was her, I'm not sure how she would have survived without a scratch! So, this was another brief scenario that I thought could have been done more convincingly. However, I must stress that these were very minor gripes in what was, overall, a very good storyline

Conclusion

Baz Luhrmann and his creative team should be very proud of Australia. Luhrmann has produced a magnificent homage to his country. It is a grand and majestic movie that successfully retains Luhrmann's trademark flair and refreshingly unique style. The decision to film on location in Australia has been a tremendously successful one and the stunning landscapes add an intriguing intensity to the film. The cinematography is breathtaking and the costume and production design are outstanding. The acting is excellent – Jackman and Kidman portray two of their best ever roles and there are stellar performances from the Aboriginal cast. Australia has certainly been worth the wait and it has now made me even more excited and curious about what type of creative venture Luhrmann will embark on next. Indeed, he has recently indicated that he doesn't want to fall into another "seven year hole" and has said, "I've actually got an epic work in development, but I am considering a few surprise, more immediate projects."

I am now very much looking forward to the DVD release of Australia. It has been widely publicised that Luhrmann, ever the perfectionist, worked right up until the very last minute in completing this film. It is evident that a lot of material has been omitted from the final cut of the movie and I am hoping that these alternate storylines and endings will be featured on the DVD. Moulin Rouge! was released on DVD with a massive amount of excellent special features that were considered groundbreaking for its time. I expect that Luhrmann will produce yet another exciting and innovative DVD spectacle for Australia. Indeed, Luhrmann has already indicated that he plans to do "something really special that's got a lot of depth in it" for what is planned to be a second Australia DVD release near the end of next year.

Luhrmann and his creative team certainly deserve much recognition for their hard work and sheer enthusiasm. Their talent and determination has resulted in the creation of a magnificent and wholly Australian movie that I believe will appeal to a mass audience across the globe. Luhrmann has admitted that the making of this film has been an enormous journey of self-discovery for him and his family. He has said, "We feel deeply connected to it. And whether this film is a huge box office bonanza, or average, or is below par financially, the reward for us is that we've been able to go on a journey and connect with our country." Hopefully, this film will enlighten audiences about Australia and its history, and help educate people in their general understanding about this beautiful and intriguing land that we affectionately call 'Down Under'.