MovieChat Forums > Geoffrey Rush Discussion > Bran Nue Dae (Includes Spoilers)

Bran Nue Dae (Includes Spoilers)

posted 13 years ago by Bubbles22
3 replies | jump to latest

What a quirky film! I watched this over the weekend, never having seen it before, and my overall impression was somewhere between 'what have I just watched?' and 'is this what trips are like when one samples Australian drugs?' (not that I've ever done narcotics in my life). Don't get me wrong, as a piece of entertainment it ticked the boxes and I liked it enough to want to watch it again, but it just wasn't what I envisaged it would be.

I was certainly expecting a stronger storyline - I found the storyline here to be a bit too basic. But, having said that, I loved the Jeremy Kylie style ending with the mother having two sons by different fathers - I don' think it should have worked on paper, but it made me laugh.

Also, I would have liked one or two more upbeat songs - too many slow songs for my tastes - but what was there was good. And I loved the version of 'Stand By Your Man' in this. I've no idea who did their own singing and whether anyone was dubbed by another person, but having seen 'Mamma Mia' and the technique they used where they blended studio recordings of the actors mixed with live on-set singing, I much prefer that style. However, as this film was made beore 'Mamma Mia' maybe it was a case of such a thing not having been available to do in this film.

The humour varied for me; I think it's because of a difference between this being an Australian film and my watching it as a Brit. I find the Austrlian sense of humour to be a mix of the British 'think-about-it' style and the more 'stating-the-obvious' style of the Americans, so in that respect some things make me laugh but other things struggle to raise more than a small smile.

I loved the acting and the characters - the Aussie hippy and her German partner/friend, the young boy, the German priest, the lady at the service station - all were great exaggerated stereotypes.

Geoffrey was as great as ever. The German accent was a bit unexpected and I was just waiting for a 'Quickly! Everybody into the Disco Room!' moment (sadly it never came!). His dancing at the end really made me laugh; it was great to see him going for it, though having previously seen Banger Sisters and his hosting the AFI awards, that guy can move! Just a shame he didn't sing more - he seems to be able to hold a tune well in a couple of his other films; this would have been a great opportunity to have taken adavantage of that.

Overall, it's no 'Mamma Mia' but it passed an evening, and given that the previous night I had dreamed that 'The Eye of the Storm' had been released here and then I awoke rather disappointed that it was just a dream, it worked as consolation.

[–] dweediecat 13 years ago

Definately a "feel good" film, which is unusual for an Australian work! I find the Australians tend to go for the jugular, be it drama or comedy (see Muriel's Wedding, read Patrick White). Rarey do characters get redeemed - it seems too pedantic for that culture.

I believe the Australians have a unique voice and perspective in that regard and predict their art is going to become more important to the rest of the world in the years to come...

Looking forward to "Eye of the Storm" - and you'll be pleased witht he upcoming film version of "The Drowsy Chaperone". There will be more of Rush dancing and singing (not without the company, but still...)

I bet he can croon... Somebody rewrite "I Left my Heart in San Francisco" for Melbourne and he's got his anthem! *swoons, dies!*

"Geoffrey Rush - The Thinking Woman's Crumpet"

[–] Bubbles22 13 years ago

I find the Australians tend to go for the jugular, be it drama or comedy (see Muriel's Wedding, read Patrick White). Rarey do characters get redeemed - it seems too pedantic for that culture.

Depressing though it sounds, that's one of the main reasons why I love Australian films, particularly the more independant ones.

I believe the Australians have a unique voice and perspective in that regard and predict their art is going to become more important to the rest of the world in the years to come...

Looking forward to "Eye of the Storm" - and you'll be pleased witht he upcoming film version of "The Drowsy Chaperone". There will be more of Rush dancing and singing (not without the company, but still...)

I bet he can croon... Somebody rewrite "I Left my Heart in San Francisco" for Melbourne and he's got his anthem!

'The Eye of the Storm' hasn't made it to Britain yet, though I do believe it will be showing at the Rome Film Festival in the next few weeks. I've seen teasing clips and glimpses and really want to see this film...if only Geoffrey would use his powers of influence and charm to make sure his British fans get a look.

I've heard about 'Drowsy' and am really excited about it, especially as it's something he's already done on stage. The only moment of singing that Geoffrey has done and which comes to mind is his singing in 'Swimming Upstream' and it sounded pretty good to me.

Also, I've recently come back from a break to Dublin and, whether it was too much Guiness or Jamesons I don't know, but the one night I breifly dreamt Geoffrey was sat at the foot of my bed - in my hotel room - singing the last few lines from 'Cockles and Mussels' (or 'Molly Malone' as it's also known).

[–] dweediecat 13 years ago

Oh, you lucky duck! When Geoffrey shows up in a dream it's always comforting news.

"Geoffrey Rush - The Thinking Woman's Crumpet"