Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) is a proper Englishwoman who journeys to Australia in the time leading up to World War II reaching Australia’s shores, determined to have her husband sell his cattle ranch to power hungry businessman named King Carney (Bryan Brown). However, she arrives to find out her husband has been killed and her plans change when she witnesses a man named Fletcher (David Wenham) cheating her husbands business for his own gain and mistreating a young boy named Nullah (Brandon Walters) because he is of mixed race. Overwhelmed with wanting a sense of justice, Lady Ashley wants to drive her herd of cattle to the town of Darwin so she can sell them to the troops, but she needs help and talks an independent cowboy (Hugh Jackman) into helping her get them there. Directed by Baz Luhrman (Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge) this film has everything from witty comedy, to western style bar brawls, romance, and war, all complimented by the astonishing costume work by Luhrman’s wife and collaborator, Catherine Martin. Nicole Kidman is delightful, adding her own special charm to a well written character and Hugh Jackman is magnificent as always as a leading romantic, action hero. This film has a lot of classic elements, often referencing the Wizard of Oz, and resembling such films as Gone With the Wind. This film is not available in MoPix and alas it should be, since it does have many action sequences, however it is narrated by the young boy Nullah, who does an amazing job for one so young. I do believe anyone with a sense of adventure will enjoy this film.
Nominated for:
Costume Design
Could have also been nominated for:
Cinematography
Art Direction
(Twentieth Century Fox)
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, David Wenham
