Faraway Downs (2023) Drama Movie Review
Amidst the pandemic, Baz Luhrmann decided to revisit his 2008 film "Australia," which was quite a lengthy cinematic experience at 165 minutes. Surprisingly, Luhrmann aimed not only to restore the original downbeat ending that got axed due to negative test screenings but also to delve deeper into the portrayal of the Indigenous people in the movie.
The outcome of this revisit is a six-part limited series titled "Faraway Downs." This series takes the entirety of "Australia" and enhances it with reinstated deleted scenes, fresh music, and strategically placed episode breaks that seamlessly fit into the narrative. It's almost as if they were part of the original plan. One might wonder if Luhrmann is accustomed to writing six-act screenplays.
While "Faraway Downs" still grapples with some of the same issues as "Australia," the revamped construction manages to make some of these problems more bearable. Moreover, it serves as a stark reminder of how unimpressive current television aesthetics are. In an era flooded with visually uninspired digitally-shot shows, watching a streaming series that captures the essence of a film feels somewhat surprising. Simply put, "Faraway Downs" stands out in its visual appeal compared to the blandness dominating the streaming landscape.
"Faraway Downs" kicks off with some written information, telling us about how Indigenous children were treated in Australia and what happened to a part of the region during the Japanese assault after Pearl Harbor. This not only recognizes that the unfolding story is set in a place marked by tragedy but also serves as a hint of things to come, in line with Baz Luhrmann's classic cinematic style. Brace yourself for some romance, but tragedy is just around the corner.
%20Drama%20Movie.jpg "Faraway Downs (2023) Drama Movie")
Yet, the old-fashioned elements of "Faraway Downs" bring some outdated storytelling, especially in how Luhrmann portrays Nullah and other Indigenous characters with a somewhat magical touch. Luhrmann tries to address this from the start, with opening credits designed by Indigenous artists, a new theme by Budjerah, and a new song by Anpuru. Although Luhrmann attempts to improve this aspect, sometimes it feels like Nullah is more of a plot device for the English aristocrat's story than a fully fleshed-out character himself. Luhrmann wanted to shift the perspective, telling the story from a First Nations child's viewpoint, but he doesn't quite achieve that, even in this extended edition. Nevertheless, he gets closer than before.
The way "Faraway Downs" is restructured is intriguing because it feels like it could have been originally designed as a series. Thanks to Hulu, Baz Luhrmann was able to divide the film into six chapters, each with varying lengths—around 45-50 minutes for the opening and closing, and a couple in between lasting under 30 minutes. The whole series adds up to about 205 minutes, excluding credits in each episode, making it notably longer than the original film by about 40 minutes. Surprisingly, the insertion of deleted scenes doesn't disrupt the flow; it all fits together seamlessly.
Moreover, the series is visually appealing. In a world saturated with dimly lit content, "Faraway Downs" stands out by simply looking better than most modern TV shows. Mandy Walker, who earned an Oscar nomination for "Elvis," skillfully captures the romantic landscapes essential for a film of this nature. While "Faraway Downs" may not completely rescue a film from obscurity, it does serve as a reminder of how television often appears dull and dusty in comparison.