Australia (2008)

Down Under natives Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman star in the historical epic Australia (2008), directed by their fellow countryman Baz Luhrmann. Not to be confused with Jean-Jacques Andrien’s skinternational drama Australia (1989), this PG-13 pic begins in 1939, just weeks before the start of World War II. Ms. Kidman plays British aristocrat Lady Sarah Ashley who inherits a massive ranch that stretches across Western Australia and the Northern Territory. While taking control of the estate, she meets cattle baron King Carney (Bryan Brown), an Aboriginal boy named Nullah (Brandon Walters), Australian Army officer Captain Dutton (Ben Mendelsohn), and King George (David Gulpilil), a magic tribal elder. Most importantly, Lady Ashley teams with a roughneck known as “The Drover” (Jackman) to help her drive thousands of cattle over brutal terrain. When they’re not being bombed by the Japanese or singing songs from The Wizard of Oz (1939), the two bond under a tree where they compare notes about their previous marriages. Of course, they also find time to hook up in bed during a romantic thunderstorm. While having sex, Nicole bares her right breast — as if there is such a thing as a wrong breast! No doubt, the shot of her chest helped the flick win a Best Cinematography prize from the St. Louis Film Critics Association. Baz’s wife Catherine Martin also nabbed an Oscar nomination and an Australian Film Institute Award victory for Best Costume Design. Ironically, the best part of the film comes when Nic isn’t wearing any costume!