Here’s the test of truly good film. If you can sit in the front row of the theater, craning your neck for 2 3/4 hrs .. and still say it was worth it, then it’s a good film!  That’s what happened to me last night.  My friend and I got the last two seats for a special screening of “Australia”.  We weren’t sure if we would stay, but decided to wait and see once the film started.  It didn’t take long for the movie to hook us.. and we knew we were in for the long haul.

I’ll have to admit that while I had seen the trailers and read a few things about the film, I didn’t know what the actual storyline was going to be.  It’s based on the now defunct program carried out by the Australian government to remove children of “mixed race” ( Aboriginal and white) from their homes and separate them from the rest of society.  These children have been known in the Aboriginal world as “The Lost Generations”.

The film begins with one such child telling the story.  This part of the film has a real Baz Luhrmann feel to it. There is comedy, music and spectacle along with a surreal almost “graphic novel” background.  Once the story is begun, it never stops.  I am not a fan of “almost” 3 hr films, but I wasn’t constantly looking at my watch during this one. There are no “slow” parts. If there is not some real action, there is spectacular Australian scenery to captivate you.

The acting is strong, especially newcomer, Brandon Walters, as “Nullah”.  I had read that Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman were uncomfortable with their love scenes because they are friends in real life, however, it looked to me as if they overcame it. There is chemistry between the two. You believe the love story.

There is a wealth of talent in the supporting cast, including the obligatory appearance of Jack Thompson in a perfect role for him.  Other familiar faces are Bryan Brown and David Wenham who both succeed in making you totally dislike their characters.  One actor who I’d like to see more from is Ben Mendelsohn who played Captain Dutton. I feel that an actor must really being doing a good job if they make me think “I want to know more about THAT character!”.  This can be said about “Capt. Dutton”.

There will be times when you cry tears of joy, tears of sadness, times when you will be holding your breath, times you will want to cheer… all of which makes the 2 3/4 hrs fly by.

Watch the trailer: