Legal Commentary

"Australia" Better Than Critics Said

By Jeralyn

I watched "Australia", the epic movie with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman tonight... Comcast and Netflix both have it available.

After the dismal reviews, I wasn't expecting much except beautiful scenery. But I liked it, especially the second half which had more action, and the young Brandon Walters as Nullah, a half-Aborigine, half caucasian boy. I wanted to pluck him from the screen and fight Nicole Kidman for him. I also would have leapt at the chance to do a "walkabout" with his grandfather "King George."

Now I want to re-watch Peter Weir's "Last Wave" -- the 1977 film about a white lawyer who defends a group of aborigine kids on a murder charge and in the process learns about "Dreamtime." (Trailer here.)

I remember being so fascinated by "The Last Wave" and "Dreamtime." For months, I defined everything that happened by it. Even now it reminds me that anthropology and the study of indigenous cultures don't get enough attention.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on March 22, 2009 (boomark / email).