BRAN NUE DAE

MA'S VIEW:

Went to see this movie yesterday ( 2 Feb 2010 ) when yard work was suspended due to rain and came away feeling uplifted and entertained.  The movie is an excellent adaptation by director Rachel Perkins ("The First Australians" - TV) of the light-hearted stage musical by Jimmy Chi.  Set in Western Australia in 1969 during the "hippie" era, it touches on many indigenous issues in a humorous and tongue in cheek way that never ever verges on a guilt trip or complaint.  The plot follows the fortunes of Willie, a young boy from Broome who is sent away by his mum to become a priest, although he has his heart set on a local girl, Rosie.  Of course he runs away and there follows a road trip home during which he meets many interesting characters and has lots of adventures, meanwhile growing in understanding of himself and his culture.  It is a pure romp, full of fun and sending up the musical/western genre ever so subtly while maintaining an underlying theme that heaven can be found on earth if you are true to yourself and your culture. 

The music is good, although a little derivative but there are a few memorable songs - "There's nothing I would rather be than be an Aborigine" and Ernie Dingo's song when they are in jail (not sure of title but to do with a new day dawning) brings a lump to your throat.  The choreography by Bangara Dance Theatre's Stephen Page is also excellent as is the cinematography featuring wonderful shots of the outback and that interminable road to Broome that we know from personal experience!

Perkins has assembled a stellar cast: - Geoffrey Rush is comicly absurd as the German priest; Jessica Mauboy (Aussie Idol) is charming as Rosie; Missy Higgins delightful as Annie the hippie; Deb Mailman is delicious as Roxanne the floosy; Magda Z. voluptuous as the over-sexed roadhouse attendant; Tom Budge is very funny as the German tourist/hippie in search of his father (no prizes for guessing who that turns out to be!) and Ernie Dingo steals the show as "Uncle" Tadpole (love the name!).  Among all of these, Rocky McKenzie, the young unknown in the lead role of Willie, holds his own with just the right amount of tentative shyness.

All in all, a very enjoyable experience that finishes in a celebration of indigenous origins with all parties finding "there is nothing they would rather be than an Aborigine".

My Score:  8/10


PEPE'S VIEW:

This was indeed a wonderfully uplifting experience  -  a movie full of fun and nonsense but a celebration of being Australian and in particular in being an Aborigine.  Although the music is not at all memorable - except for the two songs that Ma already mentioned - it does drive the action and obviously the cast and crew enjoyed playing the big dance numbers for all they were worth.  The finale is totally absurd but delightful.  I particularly enjoyed the not so slight "tongue in cheek" treatment of  "The Big Musical". It reminded me of Gilbert and Sullivan in some ways as all the loose ends were tied up no matter how absurdly and everyone lived happily ever after.

This deserves to be a "classic" Australian movie sitting alongside "The Castle", "Muriel's Wedding" and "Priscilla" but I somehow doubt that it will draw the audiences that would be needed.  The cinematography is very simple and sometimes corny ( on two occasions a car crossed screen from left to  right along a barren dirt road ) but seems to fit the tone of the piece perfectly. The scenery of the country around Broome is a stand out in the movie and the idyllic lifestlye lived by the inhabitants of this remote NW part of Australia is enough to make everyone sell up and move there!  Of course being a musical romp this also is a romanticised view of life in the outback.

The acting is generally very good - Geoffrey Rush especially as the over the top priest,  Magda S a delightfully over sexed and frustrated road house owner, Deb Mailman as the floosy, and especially Ernie Dingo as Uncle Tadpole who almost steals the show.  Jessica Mauboy as Rosie - the hero's love interest - is delightful as is Tom Budge the hippie German tourist searching for his father.  Perhaps the only disappointment was Missy Higgins as the female hippie who I felt did not quite convince.

This is a great Australian movie - one to make you laugh and feel proud to be Australian.

Score:  8/10