REVIEW: Hugh-Nicole's Australia

A must watch for those who love rich visuals and timeless love stories

Baz Luhrmann has the wonderful ability to tell a love story in a way that makes it immensely appealing and a major visual treat. He did it with Moulin Rouge and this time he does it again with Australia.

At the heart of this Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman starrer is a warm romance much like the zillions of Mills and Boon Outback adventure romances we read. But what makes it special is the way it's narrated with some very touching sub-plots and extravagant visuals.

The story begins when Nicole Kidman (Lady Sarah Ashley), an English aristocrat comes to northern Australia to sell off a cattle property called Faraway Downs. She is driven across the land by Drover (Hugh Jackman) a rough man who also was perhaps among the very few whites who could drink from the same glass as someone of aboriginal origins.

Sarah reaches Faraway Downs only to discover that her husband has been killed under mysterious circumstances. But very soon the cloud lifts and she discovers the truth about a ruthless worker on the land Neil Fletcher. Unaware of the hardships and possible dangers of the business, Sarah takes up the challenge of saving a young half caste boy Nullah (Brandon Walters) and her land from the incorrigible Fletcher.

And who would be her Knight in shining armour but the rough and tough and immensely sexy Hugh Jackman. Together they embark upon a journey – which as we'll know later, would be one of the many journeys they'd undertake, a journey to sell their cattle to the army. Or in Nullah's innocent words – 'A dream of loading the bl***y bulls into the huge metal ship'.

And as they undertake their first journey, we are taken on a rich visual treat. We see Australia like we've never seen before. There are no beaches and coral reefs here. There's just miles and miles of unyielding dry land waiting for the first clouds. There's danger at every corner. There's bush fires and aboriginal men who go 'walking'. There's music. There's dream. And there's a budding love story.

Before they embarked on the journey, we knew what would happen. But what made watching the film interesting were the little incidents that sprang up and the way it was made. We knew Nicole Kidman would fall in love with Hugh Jackman. It's a romance for crying out loud. But still, we waited with bated breath for the first kiss, for the time they came together. And hey, we were more than satisfied.

At the heels of the first journey, before they could actually celebrate their happiness, came the second. And this time it was tougher. Caught in the bombing of Darwin during World War II when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour, this love story takes a sharp turn.

Apart from the 'coming to terms with love' theme, we are introduced to yet another issue - the neglect of the aboriginal inhabitants of the continent. Luhrmann shows us then, how even half castes (who were actually part white) were treated during those times. For example, when Hugh Jackman enters a pub with his friend and asks for a drink, instead of a second glass, his friend gets an old tin mug to drink from. We're also shocked to see how the half caste children were deported to an island with the missionaries knowing fully well, that the bombs would probably hit that very island first.

Part Mills and Boon, part Pearl Harbour but yet worth a watch

The film though beautifully shot and brilliantly made will feel predictable from the very beginning. We know how love stories are structured, don't we? But like every love story is special, this one is too. It's made special by its circumstances, the performances and storyline. For example, we probably know what 'rain' denotes, but we experience it for the first time on big screen in the film.

As for the second half, the story begins to drag. For those who've already seen a Pearl Harbour

If not for anything, watch it for the performances

Nicole Kidman does an outstanding job as Lady Sarah Ashley. She is so aristocratic and pristine in her ways, that after the movie, men might find the actress who'd also given us a Moulin Rouge might get irritated by a repeat performance. But then, it's not just the bombings we're seeing this time are we? We still want to know what happens to the love story. Or rather 'how' it happens. 'a bit cold'. She takes propriety to a new level and hey, that's not Kidman but Lady Ashley or 'Mrs Boss' as she's called in the movie. She is funny and sweet in the first half and strong and fiery in the second. This Academy Award winning actress makes the character of Sarah come alive with her acting genius. A particular scene requires a special mention here. Lady Sarah who thinks of herself as not-very-motherly or good with kids goes to 'offer her condolences' to the bereaved child Nullah and ends up telling him a story and singing a song. Singing is something Lady Sarah perhaps has never done in her life and stories don't find a major place in her life, but the way the two interact makes the scene extremely warm and touching. Kudos Nicole!

Hugh Jackman proves that the sexiest man poll was not unjust or rigged. Any other man just fades in comparison. Well, the drool factor aside, Jackman proves that he can be more than just Wolverine. Agreed that he is probably the best wolverine around but given a chance, after having watched the film, we doubt if anybody else could have been as good a Drover.

The 13-year-old Brandon Walters was discovered by Luhrmann after a nationwide search to play the role of a half aboriginal boy Nullah. And the boy wins our heart in his debut film. Because of him or rather through him we understand what 'dream', 'music' or 'walking' is to aboriginal life and culture. And also because of him we realise how important it is to have your own 'dream' and 'music' in life. The child adds that extra warmth with his performance in the film that a love story so requires.

Australia doesn't promise to deliver anything new. But it delivers the same old stuff in an attractive new package. So if you want to relax and watch something beautiful, if you want to take a ride of breathtaking visuals and warm sweet emotions, go for it.

VERDICT: It's a must watch for women of all ages, shapes and sizes. As for the rest, if you like to get a visual treat, watch Australia. Because love stories never go out of fashion!

RATING: 3/5