Kangaroo

D H Lawrence never fitted in - to his own class, to Britain, the modern world. He married a foreigner, making him even more of a misfit. In this film, based on his book, a writer - more or less Lawrence - objects to the war (WWI) and is suspected of spying, so he and his wife pack off to Australia. Fascinating to see depictions of Sydney in early 1900s. We're there really communists and fascists in this sleepy land? The acting is fine, and I liked the photography and music, but wished the script made characters a bit clearer. In the end, the film seems to have the same lack of commitment that it's hero has: he has one foot out of Australia the entire time, and leaves without any resolutions. This is disappointing, yet ultimatel more like life. Things end badly or not at all.

Displaced from the UK because of their suspicious proximity to the Cornish coast during WW1, novelist Richard Somers and his German wife Harriet go to Sydney where Richard gets caught up in some improbable Fascist politicking by the eponymous 'Kangaroo'. Colin Friels is too like Alan Bates for comfort, but his wife Judy Davis, with an impeccable German accent, is delicious as the sceptical Harriet (based on DH Lawrence's wife Frieda). John Walton is also excellent as their new neighbour. There are so many good actors from Oz - Kidman, Rush, Blanchett, Crowe, Sam Neill - but surely la magnifique Davis heads the field.

There's something vaguely half-assed about the proceedings. Maybe it's because Colin Friels is uncompelling. Maybe it's Tim Burstall's flat direction or Dan Burstall's equally dull cinematography. "Kangaroo" is a very literary film, lots of thought and talking and personality conflict. It's just too bloody hard to get into, really. Too grey and dull on the surface. Judy Davis is what makes this film worth watching. Better yet, she IS the film. She plays a character of sensitivity and life, surrounded by people who are about as charismatic as sawdust. To have so many so utterly inept male characters populating one single film, it's quite hard to swallow. It reaches the point where acting quality doesn't apply, only annoying stupidity.