A Review of Baz Luhrmann's Australia

Last Saturday, my friend Tiffany and I went to see “Australia.” Though the much-publicized epic has garnered mixed reviews, I ultimately found myself swept away by Baz Luhrmann’s cinematic love letter to one of my most favorite places.

After a slow start that feels as campy as Luhrmann’s “Moulin Rouge,” the 2.5 hour tale finds its footing, with the story unfolding through the eyes of Nullah (newcomer Brandon Walters), a young Aboriginal boy.

Set during World War II, “Australia” follows the unlikely romance between English aristocrat Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) and an Aussie cattle Drover (Hugh Jackman). Suddenly widowed and facing bankruptcy, Lady Sarah draws both Drover and Nullah in to saving her husband’s cattle farm, which leads to a complicated, dangerous trek across the Outback.

Romance Down Under: Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman find love in the Outback in "Australia"

With lush, sweeping photography of the Northern Territory and lots of dreamy closeups of Kidman and Jackman, Luhrmann evokes films in the grand tradition of “Gone With The Wind.” A key scene that finds Lady Sarah and Drover causing a stir at a high society ball reminded me of Rhett and Scarlett’s scandalous dance at the Atlanta Bazaar in GWTW.

Though “Australia” doesn’t consistently reach those same lofty heights, the chemistry between Kidman and Jackman is enough to make up for it. Jackman has never been more engaging or movie-star handsome and Kidman becomes more sympathetic and vulnerable as the movie progresses. But it is really Brandon Walters who ends up carrying the movie on his more than able young shoulders.

A Star Is Born: Newcomer Brandon Walters lights up the screen in "Australia"

The 11-year-old is a revelation, delivering a powerful, heart wrenching performance that lifts “Australia” well above just another big love story to a tale of abiding connection with one’s country and kin. Nullah’s fate is the film’s lynchpin and the reason I got choked up more than once.

Bottom line, Luhrmann delivers an affecting big-screen epic worthy of the hype that will leave you with a lump in your throat and a desire to explore the majesty of Australia for yourself.

NYC Block Party: Australia's Stars, Emmy's Honorees and Macy's Cheerleaders

Monday night, I headed over to the Ziegfeld Theater for the NYC premiere of “Australia.”

Despite barricades and cranky security guards, I managed to catch a few fleeting glimpses of the eagerly-anticipated epic’s stars. This was my view of Nicole Kidman…

….as she posed for the throng of photographers under the media tent.

That Aussie Magic: "Australia" co-stars Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman (photo courtesy: Wire Images)

Nicole’s dashing co-star Hugh Jackson made a heroic entrance, stopping to sign a few autographs and greet his fans. With a dazzling smile and heaps of Aussie charm, it’s easy to see why Hugh was chosen as this year’s Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine.

Hugh and his fans (photo courtesy: Getty images)

I jumped on a barricade to get this shot of Hugh on the red carpet!

Meanwhile, on the other side of the street, a smaller group of photographers were snapping the nattily dressed folks arriving for the International Emmy Awards.

As I walked away from the Hollywood hubbub, I noticed a big group of teenagers lined up in front of the Hilton hotel, all wearing Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade sweatshirts.

Ready For Their Closeup: HS Cheerleaders gearing up for their performance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Turns out they were part of the Mike Miller & Associates troupe of 650 cheerleaders from high schools all across the U.S. One of their chaperones told me the group was heading to a rehearsal for their two numbers. You can catch them in the Macy’s Parade’s big opening sequence tomorrow at 9am EST, then again at 11am.

As I hopped into a cab to begin part two of the evening’s festivities, I marveled at all that was happening on one square block. Just another quiet night in the city that never sleeps!