This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

People are voting emotionally.

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Bran Nue Dae experience is nothing but hunky-dory and It indeed presents a memorable experience. The delivery is pleasant, tight and often hilarious with a toe-tapping soundtrack. A story of self-discovery and exploration yet, it clearly hints the importance of freedom and human experiences. While being salubrious with spontaneous dance-acts, it also delivers some clever Broadway or Fred Astaire style footwork and fancy vocals. The nut-shelled coming of age story of fifteen-year old Willie also interjects a message about the hardships of Australian Aboriginal lives, their involvement with religious beliefs as well as their social problems as alcoholism and poverty. However, the success of Bran Nue Dae lies in the fact that it can be viewed both as a pleasant story of love, dance and music as well as a sociological journey into Australia, her history and the elements of her society. Either way, the audience is bound to love the light-hearted pace of this 85 minute production.Bran Nue Dae was screened at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, with kind courtesy of the Australian High Commission on 12th June 2012.~ Sean Amos

Bran Nue Dae is an Australian musical comedy based on a stage work of the 1990s. Set in 1869, it tells the story of Willie, a teen Aborigine from Broome whom his mum wants to become a priest, who runs out of his boarding school in Perth after a rebellious act against the priest-director of the school.This is a very light-hearted movie, with a cheeky and somewhat absurd plot, very charming and unpretentious, with a bit of road movie and coming of age story. The characters are very real and warm, the Outback landscapes are fantastic, and the music is terrific, with catchy songs that, however, have lyrics that are relevant for Australian culture and indigenous Australians.What is wonderful about the story is that Aborigines are the main actors, but they are not marginal people, they are normal characters, proud to be Australian and Aborigines, and that nothing is taken seriously or dramatically.The acting by all the newcomers (singer Lisa Maubay, singer Missy Higgins, singer Dan Sultan, and HS student Rocky McKenzy) is decent enough to carry the story on, while Geofrey Rush, Deborah Mailman and Magda Subanski are terrific in their humorous small roles. Tom Budge is delightful as a German young man searching for his father. Ernie Dingo is also good in his role of uncle Tadpole, as well as Ningaly Lawford-Wolf as Willy's mother, Theresa.The scene with the Aboriginal elders is truly terrific and magical and somewhat gets the spirit of the Australian Outback.Lots of fun and a great vibe.

Sadly, this film needs much tighter editing and better musical direction, also the dubbing and Foley are amateurish. There are some OK performances: Geoffrey Rush and Magda Szubanski are good (no surprise there), Ernie Dingo is charming (again, no surprise) and the scenery is terrific - this is a part of Australia that's not well-known yet is very photogenic. The songs are just OK, not fabulous but they serve the story, however the backing music is often jarring and like a 70's sitcom in its lack of subtlety. I think the musical has all kinds of potential as a film, but this version misses out. It's a shame, more attention to detail could have made this a real winner.

I didn't know the story of this movie - but was completely sucked in by the previews. What a fabulous movie. It's incredibly funny and odd and there is just some amazing cinematography.It's a musical and the premise is that Rocky is studying to be a priest - we know from the outset that he's in love with Rosie (Jess Mauboy who is just going to be a superstar after this). After standing up to the head priest, Rocky takes off and heads home to Broome.On the way he meets his 'Uncle Tadpole', and two hippies touring WA, a drunken prostitute who all end up on his journey home - all whilst the head priest is chasing him down.There is one scene in particular which just blew my mind, jumps on the back of truck with a bunch of Aboriginal Footballers. Zorba the Greek starts playing and the footy team begin doing an amazing traditional dance which had the audience whooping with delight. Amazing! It's the little things in this movie that work so well and are so touching. And one point our hapless road gang are arrested after Uncle Tadpole steals from a Roadshop. Whilst the whites and the inexperienced Rocy fight the cops - Roxy and Uncle Tadpole walk to the cells without fight or comment.Whilst the ending is ridiculous, who cares - at my screening the audience burst into applause. Everyone walked out on a high. If you're a Muriel's Wedding fan and you like your movies kinda kooky - then you'll enjoy this. This is feel good stuff.Cheers!