Before watching, I read one review that suggested this movie might not be a comfortable fit for North American viewers. But I couldn’t resist the premise of love and revenge in 1950s rural Australia and the casting of Kate Winslet as protagonist Mildred (Tilly) Dunnage. So, I rented the DVD.
I wasn’t disappointed. In fact, I was entertained and fascinated by the eccentric characters, plot twists, budding romances, dark secrets, deaths, and haute couture in this excellent adaptation of Rosalie Ham’s debut novel.
The film opens with drop dead gorgeous Tilly stepping off a Greyhound bus, setting her Singer sewing machine on the ground and snarling, “I’m back, you bastards.” Within seconds, cross-dressing Sergeant Farrat (Hugh Weaving) approaches and asks, “Is that…Dior?” From there, Tilly continues to her family home where she intends to nurse her sick mother (Judy Davis), who lives in squalor at the top of the hill.
Barely tolerated by her mother and shunned by many of the townspeople, Tilly refuses to leave. Instead, she stays and uses her dressmaking skills to transform the frumpy women. But that is only part of a plan that slowly unravels as Tilly falls in love with a childhood friend (Liam Hemsworth) and then experiences personal tragedies.
More twists and turns and the ending is totally unexpected. Or perhaps not.
I loved this movie. It came to my small town as a “Filmfest” movie (we have one screen and tend to get a lot of Disney!). Winslet is a very talented actress.
Hi Judy, Kate Winslet is one of my favorite actresses…love the range of her performances. Thanks for dropping by. 🙂
Loved this Joanne – first saw it some time ago. (Tiny bit disappointed with the ending, though!!)
Hi June, I was surprised by the ending. A bit dark but then Tilly was so unpredictable. 🙂
Joanne – I never heard of this movie but now that I’ve read your review and seen the trailer you put up, I am definitely renting it. Thanks for the tip!
Hi Peggy, I don’t think the movie received too much acclaim when it came out on the big screen. When I saw the trailer, I was intrigued and had to see it. 🙂
I watched it the other night, as well. Loved it, especially when certain characters received their just deserts. Parts were very funny, others were tragically sad. It had something for everyone and I can’t imagine why anyone would think it wouldn’t be for North American viewers.
Hi Linda, That review also puzzled me. I imagine the reviewer was referring to viewers who like linear paths and HEAs. Not always possible. 🙂