Kangaroo (1987)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Tim Burstall

Writers:

Evan Jones (writer)
D.H. Lawrence (novel)

Release Date:

13 March 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A mild-mannered English conscientious objector moves to what he feels will be the relative calm of Australia after World War I, but gets caught in the middle of violent battles between the rising trade unions and fascist groups. |

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel | Independent Film

Awards:

2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Colin Friels	...	Richard Somers
Judy Davis	...	Harriet Somers
John Walton	...	Jack Calcott
Julie Nihill	...	Vicki Calcott
Hugh Keays-Byrne	...	Kangaroo
Peter Hehir	...	Jaz
Peter Cummins	...	Struthers
Tim Robertson	...	O'Neill
Malcolm Robertson	...	Publisher
David Hutchins	...	Cornwall Detective
Victor Kazan	...	Army Captain
Bill Richardson	...	Army Sergeant at Medical
Alan Lee	...	Collier
Richard Moss	...	Major
Howard Priddle	...	Doctor #1

Runtime:

108 min | UK:100 min (video version)

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | UK:15 (video rating) | Australia:M | Finland:K-12 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Cineplex-Odeon Films

A literary misfire

D.H. Lawrence's novel "Kangaroo" is a thinly-veiled self-portrait of the relationship between himself and his wife. The story concerns Richard and Harriet Somers, a married British couple who are persecuted for the husband's sexually explicit writings. Deciding to get away from the difficulties in their homeland, they voyage to Australia. The couple meet a group of fascists who take them in as friends, but later try to force their political opinions on them.

In adapting the novel to the screen, the makers of "Kangaroo" failed to create much interest in the lead characters. Colin Friels is made to look perfectly identical to Lawrence, but he hardly captures the writer's radical, philosophical, and slightly arrogant traits. (For a better characterization of a Lawrence self-portrait, take a look at Alan Bates in "Women in Love".) Judy Davis, one of my favorite actresses, manages to liven up the film as Harriet, and even somewhat resembles Frieda Lawrence, but her character ultimately comes off as one-dimensional. John Walton, however, gives his performance as the fascist who befriends Richard the fiery intensity it needs.

Director Tim Burstall provides a good look at the political atmosphere surrounding the time and place, yet there is no real driving force behind the story. It was too difficult to become involved with the characters caught up in the social conflict. There's no doubt in my mind that there were many good intentions going into the production of "Kangaroo." Unfortunately, few of them made it to the screen.

As a sidenote, Friels and Davis are a real-life couple.