A Look Back At Australia (2008)

The film is kind of a mixed bag so let's get right into it.

Lady Ashley (played by Nicole Kidman) travels from England to Australia to sell a cattle ranch her husband owns. Upon arriving in Australia she meets the Drover (played by Hugh Jackman). This is part of the movie's strength as well as part of it's problem. They're both likable and their on-screen chemistry is good but, the characters are pretty thinly written. He's the rugged, loner, cowboy type and she's a proper, well-off, British woman. It's fine but nothing special.

From there they have to go on a cattle drive. Then there's a stampede. Then Lady Ashley decides she wants to adopt a half-White half-Aboriginal boy. Then, of course, Lady Ashley and the Driver fall in love. Also there's this weird Aborigine guy that keeps showing up. Then Japanese planes bomb the port. Then Hugh Jackman has to rescue some kids off an island...

There is a lot crammed into this film. as a result, the runtime is about 3 hours, which is probably bout 20-30 minutes too long for this particular film. As grand and vibrant as the film is, there are a few scenes that could've been cut and the movie wouldn't have suffered.
That being said, this movie does look incredible. It's one of those movies that even if the plot doesn't sound that interesting to you, it's worth watching at least once just for the cinematography.

As stated earlier, it is a mixed-bag but overall it's enjoyable.

I give this one a 3.5 out of 5

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