Australia by the DVD Man

Australia is an epic tale and romance set in WWI Australia. Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman are the stars and lovers.

I think it was trying to be another Gone With the Wind, but it's a good movie, not a great one. I really liked the amazing scenery and the acting, but it was a bit long.

It's essentially about a widow coming from England (see fish out of water plot) to find out what her dead husband stuck her with and meeting Drover (Hugh Jackman - see hate at first sight turning into love at the end plot) and then falling in love with the desolate ranch, people and Drover. There is also the evil rancher trying to monopolize the cattle biz (Bryan Brown - see every other western movie ever made plot) and then throw in the Japanese bombing Darwin at the beginning of WWII. With a bonus of an aboriginal wizard, named King George doing his magic here and there.

If there is a ranch, there are always chickens, even in Australia and for a super surprise bonus, after 2 hours and 40 minutes of characters named: Nullah, King George, Drover & Mrs. Boss, appears out of the blue and priest saving some kids and guess what? His name is Brother Frank! What else?