‘Australia’: Inside out, upside down Down Under

‘Australia’ is an unduly long but moving epic about the unlikely romance between a landowner (Nicole Kidman) and her tough driver-ranch hand (Hugh Jackman), as well as their changing relationship with a mixed-race child (Brandon Walters). The Baz Luhrmann film initially focuses on personal conflicts; a grieving widow must acclimate to living in a land strange to her, and must console a boy recovering from losing someone dear to him. She also helps him elude law enforcers forcibly taking Aborigine children from their parents. The drama escalates when the strife of World War II comes to Australia’s doorstep.

The visuals are sometimes painterly and showy, but there are unnecessarily lengthy scenes that, while pretty to look at, don’t really add much to the story. The film also doesn’t want to end, even when it has many opportunities to do so. Still, the besieged family drama and beleaguered romance angle make the displaced trio characters that you’ll gradually care about. There really aren’t great surprises, but the payoff, when it finally comes, does make one choke up a little. It’s not Luhrmann’s typical eye-popping, ear-pleasing feast, for sure. There is still beauty in its simplicity and accessibility, however. Kidman and Jackman add magic and elegance to their archetypal soulmates from opposite worlds.

‘Australia’ will be in Metro Manila cinemas on January 28.