Jan 23, 2007
I don’t think this 2005 Australian flick hit many US theatres, which is a damn shame since it is a kick ass gem that puts most American made, cookie-cutter shit to shame.
Set in the miserably barren and hot as hell Outback of Australia in the 1880’s, Charlie Burns (Guy Pearce) is presented with a lose-lose proposition by the local law officer, Captain Stanley (Ray Winston). In order to save his ‘tardo brother, Mikey, from being hung, Charlie has to track down and kill Arthur (Danny Huston), his rather psycho older brother.
Filled with loyalty and betrayal, moral dilemmas and retribution, what grabbed my attention most was the filth. I’m not talking language, I’m talking dirt. Virtually no one in this movie seems to have even washed their face, let alone any other part of their bodies, in weeks. With the exception of Emily Watson, who is seen bathing one time in a tub of unappealing looking grey water, the characters wear the same dirty clothes, have horribly greasy hair, and are desperately in need of a manicurist to dig out the caked dirt that can be seen jammed under their fingernails. I don’t even want to think about the stench of their dirty feet.
The longest I can go without cleaning myself is one day, and that is only if I’m terribly sick and can’t get out of bed. When I work up a sweat after planting a 6 pack of Petunias in my flower box, I’m already thinking of jumping into a nice, long shower. This movie makes you want to get on your knees and thank Palmolive for soap, Head & Shoulders for shampoo, Aqua Fresh for toothpaste, and a big hallelujah to Right Guard for their deodorant. This is a great flick, but it makes you feel dirty just watching it. So, have a fluffy towel and your comfy Tommy Hilfiger terry cloth robe at the ready for a nice, hot bath after watching this one.
P.S.- I am not gay.
