Faraway Downs Review: In the expansive realm of streaming TV, where brevity is often a virtue, some stories beckon to sprawl and unfold at their own pace. However, Baz Luhrmann 2008 film “Australia” hardly seemed like a tale in need of elongation. Nevertheless, against the odds, Luhrmann, during the lockdown, succumbed to the itch of revisiting and expanding his epic. Could the discarded footage and alternative endings find new life?
The notion of dividing this extensive narrative into digestible 45-minute episodes held promise. Yet, despite the increased running time, the problems that plagued “Australia” persist in “Faraway Downs,” the extended version. The narrative feels bloated, lacking emotional nuance, historical depth, and wrestling with tonal confusiona concoction resembling “The African Queen” meets “Crocodile Dundee.”
The core issue with “Faraway Downs” lies in its rather meager storyline. Set against the backdrop of World War II, Nicole Kidman’s Lady Sarah Ashley, a seemingly prim Englishwoman, embarks on a journey to Australia to assert control over her destiny. However, upon arrival, she is confronted with her husband’s demise, thrust into the unruly chaos of the Australian outback.
Her guide in this wild terrain is Hugh Jackman’s cattle drover, a character introduced through a bar brawl, lacking subtlety as one of the most overt archetypes in screen history. Their relationship follows a predictable trajectorystormy yet transformative. However, even with more breathing room, it remains a generic and one-dimensional fictional romance.
The problematic portrayal of Indigenous Australian characters, notably Lady Sarah’s affection for Nullah, complicates matters further. Despite well-intended acknowledgments of custodianship, Luhrmann’s treatment of minority ethnic characters lacks depth and feels tokenistic. Nullah is still depicted in an exoticized and passive manner, perpetuating a sense of white savior syndrome.
Luhrmann’s pursuit of an epic cinematic spectacle overlooks the nuanced details that give stories resonance. The resulting series, like the vast Australian landscape it explores, feels empty and devoid of the depth necessary for meaningful storytelling. In this case, size certainly isn’t everything.
Also read: Good Burger 2 Review: A Nostalgic Feast with Thompson and Mitchell’s Timeless Humor
Our Reader’s Queries
What is the difference between Faraway Downs and Australia?
A Bonus Hour of Footage Faraway Downs is divided into six chapters, each lasting anywhere from 25 minutes to 50. The entire Hulu series is 3 hours and 44 minutes long, while the Australian version runs for 2 hours and 45 minutes, resulting in an extra hour of new content.
Is Faraway Downs just the Australia movie?
Hulu’s new release, Faraway Downs, debuts on November 26. It’s being billed as “a film in chapters” by the streaming service and “episodic storytelling” by Luhrmann. This reimagining of Luhrmann’s 2008 epic, Australia, includes new footage and re-edited sequences from the original two-hour and 45-minute film.
Is Faraway Downs a continuation of Australia?
Debuting on Hulu, Faraway Downs is a six-part film with a lengthy 226-minute runtime. Director Luhrmann makes it clear that it is not just an extended version of “Australia,” but rather a unique variation that delves deeper into the story.
Is Faraway Downs Based on a true story?
Faraway Downs is not a replica of the movie Australia. It’s a made-up place from the film. But, both share a connection because they’re both directed by Baz Luhrmann. The movie Australia features famous actors like Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman and falls under the category of an epic historical romantic drama.
