Director: Jocelyn Moorhouse
Cast: Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, Judy Davis, Hugo Weaving, Sarah Snook, Rebecca Gibney, Shane Jacobson
Synopsis: Based on the best-selling novel by Rosalie Ham, THE DRESSMAKER is a bittersweet, comedy-drama set in early 1950's Australia. Tilly Dunnage (Kate Winslet), a beautifil and talented misfit, after many years working as a derssmaker in exclusive Parisian fashion houses, returns home to the tiny middle-of-nowhere town of Dungatar to right the wrongs of the past. Not only does she reconcile with her ailing, eccentric mother Molly (Judy Davis) andunexpectedly falls in love with the pure-hearted Teddy (Liam Hemsworth), but armed with her swweing machine and incredible sense of style, she transforms the women of the town and in doing so gets sweet revenge on those who did her wrong.
It's been a few weeks since my last review, indeed it's been a few weeks since I've seen a film because, well, because life. Tell you what though, I got back to my true love with a bang! Friday morning I took myself off with Sissie to see THE DRESSMAKER, and it was as glorious as I had hoped it would be. As an added bonus, this lovely film had a scene shot in my local cinema (The Sun Theatre) indeed, it closed the place down for a day which I was most put out by at the time, although I did get the chance to see some movie making in action, so there was a plus even if I didn't get to see a film that day. The film starts off as a magical comedy-drama about the return of the prodigal daughter to her home town after many years of being away working as a dressmaker at some of the most prestigious Parisian fashion houses. She returns to find out the truth about her past and right some wrongs.
Known to the townsfolk as a murderer, her return is not welcomed by most, least of all her mother, who claims not to remember who she is. Together with the local police officer (Hugo Weaving), her eccentric mother and a local boy who loves her for who she is not who the people say she is, she sets about putting the pieces of past together and righting the wrongs done to her. At about two thirds of the way through when I thought all was coming to a neat little conclusion, the film takes an unexpected turn and then spirals into a world of "wtf is actually happening right now". The third act doesn't quite fit with the tone of the rest of the film, but gee willickers it was good even if it didn't quite make sense.
welcome home Tilly Dunnage
image via Universal Pictures
THE DRESSMAKER has some "holy shit" moments, and plenty of laugh out loud hilarity in the small town of Dungatar, and it will keep you entertained the entire way through. There is truth in the grudges held by the small-minded people of this small town, and the gossiping, rumour mills that exisit within the community. I mostly enjoyed the "screw you" attitude of some of the key characters, not least of all Tilly Dunnage, her mother Molly and her true love Teddy.
Kate Winslet shines in this film, she is powerful and commanding and captivates the audience with her powerful presence on screen. She is given every opportunity in this script to shine as the leading lady of this film, and even though I was a little put off by the enormous age gap between her and her leading man Liam Hemsworth, their chemistry is undeniable. He is unflappable in his convictions and his pure heart shines throughout the whole film.
Tilly and Teddy - true love against the odds
image via Universal Pictures
The supporting cast of a great number of talent Aussies also shines, and this is a prime example of quality Australian cinema that should not be missed. Judy Davis, Hugo Weaving, Sarah Snook, Rebecca Gibney, Shane Jacobson, Gyton Grantlet, Barry Otto and many others truly bring this film to life and give it all the magical qualities that make it so thoroughly enjoyable.
Hugo Weaving
Judy Davis, Sarah, Snook, Kate Winslet
Mark Leonard Winter, Sarah Snook, Rebecca Gibney, Shane Jacobson
images via Universal Pictures
Overall, even aside from the surprise plot twist and wtf ending, THE DRESSMAKER is a lovely piece of cinema and I definitely recommend spending the 20-something dollars on taking yourself to the cinema and indulging yourself.
4 out of 5
xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell
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