When this came out in the theatres, I heard the reviews. So once again, I waited until it was on HBO before watching (even though it had Hugh Jackman). I was prepared to be irritated by a lengthy, bloated tale of Michener proportions. And naming the Australian ranch "Faraway" - so sadly reminiscent of that unfortunately lengthy "Far and Away" didn't help.
But I have to admit, Nicole put her all into it. She was going to make me believe in her character if it killed us both. Her landing in Australia and the drive to the station was predictable (so similar to "Mogambo", "King Solomon's Mines")... but from her arrival at Faraway station, the movie held my attention.
I'm not a big fan of movies where the protagonist miraculously has the wisdom and insight of today, while the rest of the cast staggers around with the ignorance/racism of the times. People don't do stupid things thinking they're stupid, wrong or racist; they do them with a firm conviction that they're doing exactly the right thing at the time. But the movie did attempt to depict the local attitude towards mission schooling of Indigenous Australians with some sensitivity - and less of the usual heavy hand.
And Hugh Jackman, never painful to look at, certainly threw himself into his character (and out of his shirt with satisfying regularity). Not a heel, just the usual highly attractive, can't commit chap - I challenge you to find a woman who isn't drawn to this type like white on rice.
It's always good to see Bryan Adams (does he make movies where he's not holding a bottle?) and Brandon Walters is quite a find. David Wenham makes a fine villain, especially since he doesn't get to be anything but a villain (no nuances required).
I thought the bombing of Darwin was dramatic enough without the landed Japanese raid (I'm not sure such an event actually occurred) - but certainly it pushed events to an exciting climax. Everyone got their just desserts. Life doesn't get much better.
I was pleasantly surprised. Not blown away, but pleasantly surprised.
But I have to admit, Nicole put her all into it. She was going to make me believe in her character if it killed us both. Her landing in Australia and the drive to the station was predictable (so similar to "Mogambo", "King Solomon's Mines")... but from her arrival at Faraway station, the movie held my attention.
I'm not a big fan of movies where the protagonist miraculously has the wisdom and insight of today, while the rest of the cast staggers around with the ignorance/racism of the times. People don't do stupid things thinking they're stupid, wrong or racist; they do them with a firm conviction that they're doing exactly the right thing at the time. But the movie did attempt to depict the local attitude towards mission schooling of Indigenous Australians with some sensitivity - and less of the usual heavy hand.
And Hugh Jackman, never painful to look at, certainly threw himself into his character (and out of his shirt with satisfying regularity). Not a heel, just the usual highly attractive, can't commit chap - I challenge you to find a woman who isn't drawn to this type like white on rice.
It's always good to see Bryan Adams (does he make movies where he's not holding a bottle?) and Brandon Walters is quite a find. David Wenham makes a fine villain, especially since he doesn't get to be anything but a villain (no nuances required).
I thought the bombing of Darwin was dramatic enough without the landed Japanese raid (I'm not sure such an event actually occurred) - but certainly it pushed events to an exciting climax. Everyone got their just desserts. Life doesn't get much better.
I was pleasantly surprised. Not blown away, but pleasantly surprised.
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