Luke
stu-kicks
Tash Jayasinghe
CibbuanoNed Kelly
October 26th 2006 11:57
OBLIGATORY DISCLAIMER: I know it's not an old film, but it's a good one, so deal with it.
It was only a matter of time before Ned Kelly was given the big-screen treatment. The Australian film industry has been coming along in leaps and strides in the last 15 years, and has finally reached the point where it can accommodate a film of such quality and size that a piece of folklore like this deserves. Forget about the 1970s Mick Jagger version, it's gone - don't worry about it. 'Ned Kelly' is here.
You should know the story by now. Ned Kelly was the most famous of Australian bushrangers, arguably because of his armour, but also because of his much publicised championing of the lower classes in 19th century Australia. He was a bushranger, first and foremost, and the film doesn't deny this. He killed, yes, and he robbed banks, yes. No one has ever disputed that. But the film doesn't take as many liberties as one might think.
Ned Kelly was a hero of his time - his name has gone down in folklore because of the respect he gained from his peers. He was someone to cheer for… stealing from the rich, stirring up the police. To understand how a murderer and a thief can become so loved, you have to understand the hatred many had for the police at the time. The film goes a long way to establish this, but for some viewers it will never be enough. I hate to dwell on the glorification of criminals so much, but it's something that I feel needs to be addressed in the context of this review - because it's a question a lot of people are asking; should Ned Kelly be treated as such a hero? The answer, in my opinion, is that it doesn't really matter. He was a hero of his people, this shouldn't be doubted, but whether you can identify with such people and Kelly's own struggle is what it's going to come down to when you watch this film. But anyway, I digress, and quite badly too...
Gregor Jordan (director of 'Two Hands') has made a great film. Visually, it's stunning, and iconic. I'm not one for patriotism, but there's something to be said for viewer-identification. The vision of rolling hills spotted with gum trees and kookaburras connects with me in a way that an American film never could. The acting is more than adequate too. Heath Ledger isn't a method or character actor by any stretch, but he has a charm about him that goes a long way when carrying a film like this. Likewise, Orlando Bloom and Joel Edgerton are put to good use. Naomi Watts is a little superfluous to the story, but injects a little love for the ladies, and adds another layer to the injustices that pepper this film. Geoffrey Rush, sadly, is underused.
The film isn't afraid to show the era for what it was. It doesn't shy from the less-than-savoury aspects of bushranger life, and it's keen as mustard to show the cons and pros of the era, and in equal proportion. There's a big screen power in this film that's seldom been matched by Australian cinema, and the ultimate showdown doesn't disappoint. I’m just chuffed that Australia finally made a decent ‘epic’.
TRIVIA: Look for cameos and supporting parts from all sorts of Australian actors and personalities. Peter Phelps, Richard Roxborough, Russell Gilbert, Bernard Fanning, Bud Tingwell and Rachel Griffiths all appear.
Ned Kelly (2003)
It was only a matter of time before Ned Kelly was given the big-screen treatment. The Australian film industry has been coming along in leaps and strides in the last 15 years, and has finally reached the point where it can accommodate a film of such quality and size that a piece of folklore like this deserves. Forget about the 1970s Mick Jagger version, it's gone - don't worry about it. 'Ned Kelly' is here.
You should know the story by now. Ned Kelly was the most famous of Australian bushrangers, arguably because of his armour, but also because of his much publicised championing of the lower classes in 19th century Australia. He was a bushranger, first and foremost, and the film doesn't deny this. He killed, yes, and he robbed banks, yes. No one has ever disputed that. But the film doesn't take as many liberties as one might think.
Ned Kelly was a hero of his time - his name has gone down in folklore because of the respect he gained from his peers. He was someone to cheer for… stealing from the rich, stirring up the police. To understand how a murderer and a thief can become so loved, you have to understand the hatred many had for the police at the time. The film goes a long way to establish this, but for some viewers it will never be enough. I hate to dwell on the glorification of criminals so much, but it's something that I feel needs to be addressed in the context of this review - because it's a question a lot of people are asking; should Ned Kelly be treated as such a hero? The answer, in my opinion, is that it doesn't really matter. He was a hero of his people, this shouldn't be doubted, but whether you can identify with such people and Kelly's own struggle is what it's going to come down to when you watch this film. But anyway, I digress, and quite badly too...
Gregor Jordan (director of 'Two Hands') has made a great film. Visually, it's stunning, and iconic. I'm not one for patriotism, but there's something to be said for viewer-identification. The vision of rolling hills spotted with gum trees and kookaburras connects with me in a way that an American film never could. The acting is more than adequate too. Heath Ledger isn't a method or character actor by any stretch, but he has a charm about him that goes a long way when carrying a film like this. Likewise, Orlando Bloom and Joel Edgerton are put to good use. Naomi Watts is a little superfluous to the story, but injects a little love for the ladies, and adds another layer to the injustices that pepper this film. Geoffrey Rush, sadly, is underused.
The film isn't afraid to show the era for what it was. It doesn't shy from the less-than-savoury aspects of bushranger life, and it's keen as mustard to show the cons and pros of the era, and in equal proportion. There's a big screen power in this film that's seldom been matched by Australian cinema, and the ultimate showdown doesn't disappoint. I’m just chuffed that Australia finally made a decent ‘epic’.
TRIVIA: Look for cameos and supporting parts from all sorts of Australian actors and personalities. Peter Phelps, Richard Roxborough, Russell Gilbert, Bernard Fanning, Bud Tingwell and Rachel Griffiths all appear.
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