Australia - loud and showy

What's it about: Baz Luhrmann weaves five different stories in Australia keeping the romance between Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) and a drover (Hugh Jackman) at the forefront. Word War II has broken out and Sarah who's an uptight English lady travels Down Under to meet her husband. However, after reaching the continent she's told he's murdered. Now the only way she can bring her life back on track is by saving her ranch. Helping her in this task is Jackman, who inevitably falls in love with the lady. In a time of racial discrimination and war, Luhrmann paints a grim picture of war-torn Australia and a budding romance.

What's hot: There's no denying the fact that Luhrmann is flamboyant and extravagant when it comes to camera work. In Australia, he leaves no stone unturned to use landscapes and imagery to bring his vision alive. The sexiest man on the planet, Hugh Jackman steals the show under Kidman's nose with his portrayal of a rustic and nau00efve wanderer who's too tough to be tamed.

What's not: Australia clocks in some three-odd hours and that's intensely grueling. The sub-plots overlap and criss-cross paths giving the film an uneven feel. There are scenes that go on forever without reaching a conclusive end. The canvas is grand and knowing Luhrmann's penchant for larger than life images, its understandable. But the climax and the second half are way too over the top, making the premise too surreal and hard to believe. Kidman fails to impress. She not only looks old and weary but also fails to deliver her lines well.

What to do: If you are a fan of the classics which were all about showing off and being loud rather than keeping it simple and subtle, then its worth making a trip to Australia.