If you are expecting ‘Bran Nue Dae’ to follow in the footsteps of ‘Moulin Rouge’ and be Australia’s next grand musical then move along right now. ‘Bran Nue Dae’ is simply a fun ride that knows not to take itself too seriously. And it reveals some of Australia’s top singers as having some hidden acting ability.
‘Bran Nue Dae’ follows the story of Aboriginal teenager, Willie (Rocky McKenzie). It is Broome, 1969 and Willie is in love with the beautiful Rosie (Jessica Mauboy – TV’S ‘Australian Idol’), but not only is Willie too shy to say anything, he is also in training to become a priest under the watchful eye of Father Benedictus (Geoffrey Rush – ‘$9.99’, ‘Elizabeth: The Golden Age’). But with the ‘evil’ Lester (Dan Sultan – ‘Cannot Buy My Soul’) circling and Willy in trouble at his school in Perth he decides to runaway back to Broome… and more importantly, Rosie. On this journey he is joined by Uncle Tadpole (Ernie Dingo – ‘Somewhere In The Darkness’, ‘Dead Heart’) and two hippies (Tom Budge – ‘$9.99’, ‘Ten Empty’ and Missy Higgins ‘Cannot Buy My Soul’).
Part of the reason that ‘Bran Nue Dae’ remains a fun trip for the audience is that director, Rachel Perkins (‘One Night The Moon’, ‘Radiance’) never allows it to take itself too seriously. Any hint of seriousness in this film and it would fall flat on its face. The film has an incredibly cheesy ending but you don’t mind because it has been ‘cheese’ all the way through. That and some great comedic performances have kept the film completely on track.
Acting-wise ‘Bran Nue Dae’ pulls out some real surprises. Geoffrey Rush enjoys the chance to let out his inner-comedian but it is an extremely ‘wrong’ cameo from Magda Szabansky that steals the show. Singers-turned-actors Jessica Mauboy, Dan Sultan and Missy Higgins all hold their own, with the latter showing surprising talent as a comedic actress… something I would never have picked in a million years. However it is Ernie Dingo that shines the brightest. He has been hidden any as a presenter on the ‘The Great Outdoors’ so long that you forget that he is a serious actor… and a damn fine one at that. The role of Uncle Tadpole is not an easy one to pull off, as it needs Dingo to mix seriousness (at times) with virtual slap-stick humor… something that most actors would struggle with.
However there is also a big let down with ‘Bran Nue Dae’, and that is at times the dance sequences seem dangerously ‘forced’. When the boys begin dancing in the Chapel after being told off by Father Bendedictus it almost feels like the story is placed on pause and a new film begins. But for the most part the film flows and the music is delightful.
When approaching ‘Bran Nue Dae’ be ready to see more cheese than even Kraft could handle, but also be prepared to be taken on a fun ride that will at least have you laughing… now how many Australian films can you say that about?
Year: 2009
Director: Rachel Perkins
Stars: Rocky McKenzie, Jessica Mauboy, Geoffrey Rush, Dan Sultan, Ernie Dingo, Tom Budge, Missy Higgins
Classification: PG
Runtime: 88 mins
Rating: 