"Wrangler," as it is known in the U.S., is a horse drama with great style and period detail. It's named "Minnamurra" in the Australian market, as that is the name of the cattle station property in dispute in the film.
Minnamurra is a large cattle station, held by the Richards family, with patriarch, James; his wife, Caroline; son, Rupert; and feisty daughter, at the center of this film, Alice May Richards, played by Tushka Bergen.
Ms. Bergen is a lovely, wide-eyed redhead with glorious hair, speaking eyes and a almost-tomboy manner. Her character, Alice, is bound to Minnamurra, their breeding stallion, Barbicon, but is also drawn to two men, one eagerly, Jack Donaghue, drover and militant unionizer; and Ben Creed, businessman and venture capitalist, whom she regards warily with great distrust.
Also in the film is the enemy of James Richards, who is trying to wrest ownership of Minnamurra, named Allenby. He's the dirty deed doer who will do anything to get what he wants. Unfortunately, in the film, he's a one-dimensional character who doesn't really have much of a presence in the movie.
This film has the look and feel of the old Merchant-Ivory movies of the 1990s. Sumptuous settings, opulent lifestyles, elegant people in a monied, elegant time.
The storyline isn't exactly as the one for "Australia" (2008), but it is similar to Nicole Kidman's vehicle.
The story is fraught with contention, albeit in a very gentlemanly manner. Alice Richards knows her father is having problems in holding onto the family station, and she finds herself deeply involved in solving the family's situation. There is no gore in this film, some violence, but of the bloodless variety. The worst part is an explosion where two men get killed. Other than that, the movie is certainly is fine for children to see.
The most exciting part, at least for me, is the horse drive - the cinematography is glorious throughout and very striking visually. There is one scene that shows the magnificent dichotomy of Australia's geography: during the horse drive when the horses go from arable land to complete desert sand in one stride. It's an incredible shot.
While this isn't a compelling story or film, it is certainly enjoyable. The two heroic men, from whom Alice must choose, are played by Jeff Fahey and Steven Vidler, as Ben Creed and Jack Donaghue, respectively. The arch enemy is played by Shane Briant, whom I recognized from other projects. Most of the cast is unknown to me, as they are either Australian or British, but all the company do their parts exceedingly well.
Look for an historical figure in this film, Lord Kitchener, the 1st Earl Kitchener of Boer War fame in South Africa. He plays a vital role in the film.
"Wrangler" or "Minnamurra" is a nice, enjoyable viewing. It's not a monumental film, but a good experience for the whole family. (Well, okay, except for some hard-core guys who'll think this is a chick flick.) I rated it 6 out of 10, as it looks great, has some interesting plot points, but overall, it doesn't delve deeply into any of them.
Unless I missed it, they never explain what Minnamurra (an Aboriginal word) means. A shame, really.
Minnamurra is a large cattle station, held by the Richards family, with patriarch, James; his wife, Caroline; son, Rupert; and feisty daughter, at the center of this film, Alice May Richards, played by Tushka Bergen.
Ms. Bergen is a lovely, wide-eyed redhead with glorious hair, speaking eyes and a almost-tomboy manner. Her character, Alice, is bound to Minnamurra, their breeding stallion, Barbicon, but is also drawn to two men, one eagerly, Jack Donaghue, drover and militant unionizer; and Ben Creed, businessman and venture capitalist, whom she regards warily with great distrust.
Also in the film is the enemy of James Richards, who is trying to wrest ownership of Minnamurra, named Allenby. He's the dirty deed doer who will do anything to get what he wants. Unfortunately, in the film, he's a one-dimensional character who doesn't really have much of a presence in the movie.
This film has the look and feel of the old Merchant-Ivory movies of the 1990s. Sumptuous settings, opulent lifestyles, elegant people in a monied, elegant time.
The storyline isn't exactly as the one for "Australia" (2008), but it is similar to Nicole Kidman's vehicle.
The story is fraught with contention, albeit in a very gentlemanly manner. Alice Richards knows her father is having problems in holding onto the family station, and she finds herself deeply involved in solving the family's situation. There is no gore in this film, some violence, but of the bloodless variety. The worst part is an explosion where two men get killed. Other than that, the movie is certainly is fine for children to see.
The most exciting part, at least for me, is the horse drive - the cinematography is glorious throughout and very striking visually. There is one scene that shows the magnificent dichotomy of Australia's geography: during the horse drive when the horses go from arable land to complete desert sand in one stride. It's an incredible shot.
While this isn't a compelling story or film, it is certainly enjoyable. The two heroic men, from whom Alice must choose, are played by Jeff Fahey and Steven Vidler, as Ben Creed and Jack Donaghue, respectively. The arch enemy is played by Shane Briant, whom I recognized from other projects. Most of the cast is unknown to me, as they are either Australian or British, but all the company do their parts exceedingly well.
Look for an historical figure in this film, Lord Kitchener, the 1st Earl Kitchener of Boer War fame in South Africa. He plays a vital role in the film.
"Wrangler" or "Minnamurra" is a nice, enjoyable viewing. It's not a monumental film, but a good experience for the whole family. (Well, okay, except for some hard-core guys who'll think this is a chick flick.) I rated it 6 out of 10, as it looks great, has some interesting plot points, but overall, it doesn't delve deeply into any of them.
Unless I missed it, they never explain what Minnamurra (an Aboriginal word) means. A shame, really.