NO doubt about it: the mere mention of anything to do with the 'Land of Oz' instantly piques my interest. No surprise...
And always, my imagination rises to the occasion. To wit, I conjure only the best images: adventure in the Outback, pretty women galore, the entire continent as a vast expanse of one of the last frontiers worthy to explore and Australia's colorful people. All of them. To wit, in 'Down Under' there's no shortage of the those 'good things in life'. Some are even free to experience. Someday, I'll get there.
For sure, the film 'Broken Hill' explores some of the aforementioned attributes. And the producers and directors do so with a sensibility and sensitivity that is all too lacking in Hollywood past and present. For example: conspicuously absent from the plot are the usual Big Studio suspects: gratuitous sex, mindless blather, random violence in any form and exceptionalism based on one's nationality. And we're spared the useless sitting around the dinner table, gorging gobble-gobble scenes.
To wit, this story shuns all those 'normal' instant gratification gambits that Hollywood seems to thrive on. Instead, we the viewer are respected: a good film should begin with a solid plot. And end with denouement. Well, the director in Broken Hill does just that. In 'All Aussie' style too. Every single scene revolves around real persons. And those characters really are presented in a real sense. Warts and all.
Luke Arnold, as main character Tommy McAlpine gives a good impression of the Australian indelible character/spirit even in youth. Alexa Vega, as Kat Rogers, an ex-pat American's high school student daughter, is equal to the task. We soon learn too, that Kat is more Aussie than she appears. Many occasions, Kat's all too 'advanced' cultural roots in America belie her true feelings. Just ask her, Tommy boy! Took him long enough to broach her on this hot topic though.
Moreover, Alexa more than once scolds Tommy on the importance of being earnest: human beings are all connected, totally aside from nationalities and/or birth rights. At least, she said it should be that way. Significant others agree too: President Bill Clinton aptly put it plainly in his book, 'Back to work', "We're all in this together". Well said, Sir!
The rest of the cast really did a 'smashing job' of their roles too. Timothy Hutton, is a fine example. As Tommy's dad, George McAlpine, Tim is every bit an Aussie as are the mighty likes of Mick Dundee, Paul Hogan, the Wallabies... OK. I over shot with the last group.
And did I mention the local music and the cinematography? Both are altogether pleasing if not down right out-from-under-this-world. And that fellow playing the steel guitar...
G-day!
And always, my imagination rises to the occasion. To wit, I conjure only the best images: adventure in the Outback, pretty women galore, the entire continent as a vast expanse of one of the last frontiers worthy to explore and Australia's colorful people. All of them. To wit, in 'Down Under' there's no shortage of the those 'good things in life'. Some are even free to experience. Someday, I'll get there.
For sure, the film 'Broken Hill' explores some of the aforementioned attributes. And the producers and directors do so with a sensibility and sensitivity that is all too lacking in Hollywood past and present. For example: conspicuously absent from the plot are the usual Big Studio suspects: gratuitous sex, mindless blather, random violence in any form and exceptionalism based on one's nationality. And we're spared the useless sitting around the dinner table, gorging gobble-gobble scenes.
To wit, this story shuns all those 'normal' instant gratification gambits that Hollywood seems to thrive on. Instead, we the viewer are respected: a good film should begin with a solid plot. And end with denouement. Well, the director in Broken Hill does just that. In 'All Aussie' style too. Every single scene revolves around real persons. And those characters really are presented in a real sense. Warts and all.
Luke Arnold, as main character Tommy McAlpine gives a good impression of the Australian indelible character/spirit even in youth. Alexa Vega, as Kat Rogers, an ex-pat American's high school student daughter, is equal to the task. We soon learn too, that Kat is more Aussie than she appears. Many occasions, Kat's all too 'advanced' cultural roots in America belie her true feelings. Just ask her, Tommy boy! Took him long enough to broach her on this hot topic though.
Moreover, Alexa more than once scolds Tommy on the importance of being earnest: human beings are all connected, totally aside from nationalities and/or birth rights. At least, she said it should be that way. Significant others agree too: President Bill Clinton aptly put it plainly in his book, 'Back to work', "We're all in this together". Well said, Sir!
The rest of the cast really did a 'smashing job' of their roles too. Timothy Hutton, is a fine example. As Tommy's dad, George McAlpine, Tim is every bit an Aussie as are the mighty likes of Mick Dundee, Paul Hogan, the Wallabies... OK. I over shot with the last group.
And did I mention the local music and the cinematography? Both are altogether pleasing if not down right out-from-under-this-world. And that fellow playing the steel guitar...
G-day!