Iffy for 14+
Messy but engrossing epic about race, love, and war.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this historical melodrama stars popular Aussies Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, but even with that level of celebrity wattage, it's unlikely to attract tweens and younger teens. But older teens, especially mature girls, may be drawn to the romance that's played up in the advertising. The film deals with mature themes like racism, greed, war, class consciousness, and sexual politics. The violence is realistic and occasionally bloody -- characters are speared, shot, burned, drowned, and beaten. The characters' sexual chemistry and tension turns into several passionate kisses and a love-making scene in which bare shoulders, a man's chest, and a woman's underwear, back, and legs are all visible. The Northern Territory is portrayed as full of hard-drinking, aboriginal-hating men and demure, high-society couples. Mature teens who see the film are likely to learn about about Australia's role in World War II and how the country historically treated its indigenous people.
- Families can talk about the film's big issues. What do your kids think about the way the film addresses race, and how do they think things have changed since the film's era?
- How were World War II-era racial tensions in Australia similar to anddifferent from those in America?
- How accurate do you think the movie isin portraying Australia's history? What did you learn about the countrythat you didn't know before seeing the movie?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie's historically accurate storyline -- in which half-aboriginal, half-white children are taken away from their homes and taught how to be domestic servants in white society -- is meant to teach an historical lesson about racism toward native cultures. Other messages include love triumphing against the odds and people finding family in unexpected places.
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Role models: A woman is underestimated as not being brave or bold enough to run herown cattle farm in a dangerous territory, but she shows the men aroundher that she can hold her own. A couple from different social classes falls in love and further goes against the norms of the time by socializing with aboriginal people. Some characters are outright villains with no redeeming qualities.
What to watch for
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Violence: Several scenes of disturbing violence, including two men being speared to death, one man getting thrown into crocodile-infested waters, a woman drowning, a man being trampled to death by a stampede of cows, a young boy being struck by an adult, World War II bombings/explosions, burned characters, and the death of a well-liked character. A few instances of violence are episodes of men sacrificing themselves to save other characters. A kangaroo is hunted, but the scene is played for laughs.
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Sex: The film's stars have an electric chemistry that's accompanied by a lot of sexual tension. Jackman's character in particular is depicted as incredibly sexually attractive; there are several scenes of him shirtless. A scene in which a white man knocks on an aboriginal woman's door for sex (he's later shown buckling his belt, etc.) is somewhat disturbing. A couple passionately kisses several times and makes love on a bed, but there's no nudity. A woman takes a bath in front of a man (no camera shots below the shoulders). A boy is aware of sexual behavior and calls it "wrong-headed business."
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Language: Lots of "crikey"; other language includes infrequent uses of words like "damn," "bloody," and "bastard." One use of "f--king." Several characters use disparaging terms to refer to aboriginal and half-aboriginal people, including "creamy."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Australians are portrayed as hard drinking. Various adults drink hard liquor in and out of a pub. One man is known as a drunk and sneaks alcohol on most occasions.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Australia falls in line with Baz's stunning past films by theatersaurus
I was already excited to see Australia because I love Nicole Kidman, and Baz- especially after seeing his 2001 "Moulin Rouge!" . Trying not to get my hopes up to high, I went into the theater with a neutral feeling...but I was very soon gratified. The film is not only funny, romantic, heart-wrenching and thrilling, but offers a wide arrange of beautiful shots from the Australian deserts to storms, to a beautiful transformed, flourishing garden of a ranch in the middle of the desolate plains. Do yourself a huge favor by means of entertainment and GO NOW!
4
Good Flick by kenclem1
Cinematography was stunning, and I found myself quoting lines from the movie. It took me a second to realize that I was quoting a movie I had seen instead of classic literature.
5
Ranks With the Epoch Movies of Our Time by BalancedCritic
This is Grand Cinema to the scale we rarely see these days.
A comparison with the scope and depth of Gone With The Wind comes to mind.
Beautifully crafted and engaging.
Truly worth seeing.
5
Australia by JDWallin
We thoroughly enjoyed Australia. It was long but never seemed long as there was so much action involved. And the scenery was awesome.
We also very much appreciated the minimal foul language which seems so often injected just for shock value without adding to the movie. And for such an engrossing picture we were surprised to realize the extent sexual situations were minimized, and violence was involved only to the extent necessary to the story line.
5
"Australia" is great! by mdavismaincourse
"Australia" the movie is the Australian "Gone with the Wind," a sweeping historical epic with a great love story in the foreground. The chemistry between Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman was palpable. It is longer than the average flick but that just means you get your money's worth. Great story, beautifully filmed. Don't miss it.
5
Australia by vloves_ movies
A+++++ Love Nicole and Jackmen Like the good old movies, It reminded me of Out of Africa ... I could watch Australia over and over...My parents LOVED it also... Very enjoyable..Can't wait to buy this one its a classic... Thank you..
5
Great Epic by mm123
This movie is alittle long, with a few different plots going on, but I loved it! The acting was great, the scenery was beautiful and it felt like the kind of epic movie they used to make. I loved every minute of it.
5
Awesome Movie!! This is a Must See! by Texas_Movie_Girl
If you haven't seen this movie, go see it! The preview was so-so and the press about it has been bad, but the movie itself is absolutely amazing. My nephew (a huge movie buff) recommended it to me and as there is nothing else out there right now I wanted to see, I took a chance. It blew me away. It's three hours long, so make sure you have the time, but it is well worth it. This movie will have you laughing, crying, and gasping as well. A few love scenes and the war scene make it more for older teens and adults, so I don't advise taking children with you.
5
Australia by wiseone44
One of the best movies I have seen in years. It had a serious plot, depicted the historical time period, had humor, and addressed a serious social injustice. The actors were perfectly cast for their roles. Wish more movies like this were being made instead of all the mindless, terror-filled, bad language, sexually immoral movies that I refuse to waste my time going to see.
4
Australia by writeruno
When going into the movie, I happened to ask two folks what they thought of movie, they both said it was okay, but very long. And that sort of set the tone for me when I went into the movie. I expected a long sometimes rather boring movie. I was pleasantly surprised - yes it was long, but I never noticed it - It was thoroughly entertaining - it had humor, drama, a good mix of characters that were well played by a good mix of actors and actresses. There characters were believable and convincing. The young boy was delightful. The villains were nasty and such shady characters. If you don't like them and they were supposed to be nasty and shady...then the actors did their part.
Enjoyed the movie and would recommend you go to it. I was happy to learn about the Lost Generation, and sad to know that humanity practices such things.