It really bugs me when Aussies (who haven't seen the film) have 'tall poppy' syndrome. I saw this movie and I thought it was Brilliant. Nicole Kidman's performance was moving, and funny, and she was perfect for the role. Brandon Walters and David Gulpilil were absolutely magical.

beeps, Brisbane, Australia

Kidman plays a 'passionless English aristocrat'.

Not pandering to any stereotypes then?

micky, carmarthen,

I'm also disappointed Kidman was chosen. Apart from being an extraordinarily overrated actor, she is just too old (despite all the surgery and fillers, she looks her age). She could have played the mother of the heroine! It's a shame they couldn't make it a classic like The English Patient".

Catherine, Sydney, Australia

This review wrongly equates film marketing hype with the "locals' "response. Australian movie-goers are as diverse and sophisticated as in any other country. The film looks like a bad 1970's teleseries and will not tempt me or my 2 teens into cinemas. (Hairdresser ref is also snobby and unworthy!

Penelope, Melbourne, Australia

Saw it on Tues at the World Premiere in Kunners and it's brilliant. Five stars
It's pure Baz. Looks good, Sounds good. It's funny and its sad
The acting is v good esp; Hugh & Nicole however, the stand out is the little fella, Nullah (Brandon Walters) Gold in March for him!
(PS too much hate here)

Sunny, Kununurra, the land of OZ

Most Australian I've spoken with are over this movie before it came out. It was a big mistake putting Nicole Kidman in the lead female role. Sadly Nicole is a wooden actress who can't act, overpaid and underwhelming to watch on screen. So how smart are these Hollywood moguls giving Baz the cash?

Chris, Sydney, Australia

Ridiculous comment to say the home country has been in a state on anxeity bordering on neurosis. The average Bruce in the street has not been too bothered.

We all want it to do well but there are far many more important things than Hugh, Bazza and Nicole.

Jim , Perth, Australia

How can the critic here say Aussies love it - it's not yet released! I like some of Baz's earlier stuff but don't feel he was the right person for this movie (nor Nic - too plastic), even though it was his idea. He's too gimmicky. As for an 'injured national psyche' - what utter rubbish!

cathy b, Sydney, Australia

Fair to say that most Australian's are relatively ambivalent about this film and possibly fatigued by the endless marketing and hype that has surrounded it film for what seems like years. I just wonder what the hook is to sit down for 165 minutes and see it. The story is hardly original, and from a local perspective, in the time it takes to watch the film, you could actually fly to many of the stunning locations and experience them. I’m a fan of Baz, but there just doesn’t seem to be a compelling plot or reason to go and sit through near on 3 hours of this.

Steve, Brisbane, Australia

I'm Australian and the only reason I would see this film is for his wife's set design. I always thought she was the real talent in their production. The movie sounds as dreadful and trite as I expected. But most blockbusters are, aren't they? The Timeless Land series is far superior.

Jo, Sydney,

I suspect 'Australia' will do well. I found the article a little condescending too towards the Australian people. (I'm Canadian, I relate believe me, as a 'colony!)' Baz Lurhman is a great director! Certainly innovative, creating new experiences for film goers!

Michael Sullivan, Toronto, Canada

A lot of Aussies are hoping that it will be big overseas, as they think it will not work in Australia - its too artificially Australian Kitsche.

I got to admit, Baz Lurhman is a pretty amazing director... one of Australia's best

Bazza, Cockatoo creek, Australia

As you can see, the claim that expectations for this film were high at home is hogwash. Expectations have been pretty low, not because of the national psych but because of what we've seen and heard - though we do hope it might not be too awful.

david, sydney, AU

You write as if being patriotic is a bad thing. People in Australia are proud of being Australian and of being part of a great nation. Nothing wrong with that.

CS, Sydney, Australia

Calling the movie "Australia" was just a smart way by Baz Luhrmann to get the Fed govt to help finance the movie. Sick to death of all the hype and can't stand N.Kidman. Someone should get SK Lin on the Oz tourism board though.

Mel, sydney, australia

Australians dont love their country all that much or they wouldnt have allowed Defence to stabilize at 3rd world levels. Shivers..our OZ Navy is taking 2 months off at Christmas. Most of the private firearms have vanished and theres nothing in the cabinet for a citzens army. She'll be right mate tho

G Gibson, Sydney, Australia

Watsed time and money the australian film industry needs to be encouraging new directors and actors not hollywood b movie actors who are not reflective of australian society.
wasted opportunity, misrepresenting a great country by a wannabe director

philip hammond, Adelaide, australia

Another dull period drama with the curiously asexual Nicole Kidman looks about as attractive a draw as an alcohol free all vegetarian barbie.
The author of this article should read some of the reader comments pages in the Aussie tabloids (Heraldsun etc) to see what we really think.

rick, melbourne, australia

I'm sorry but the "Pirates of the Carribean" like theme music just ruined any chances of me going to see this thing. What ever happened to sweeping epic movie scores?

Leah, Tucson, USA

What rock have I been living under? Since when has Australia had an 'injured national psyche'? (Our cricket team's recent demise doesn't hurt us THAT much!)

Jeremy, Melbourne, Australia

S K Lin I thought drugs were illegal in Malaysia - that's the only explanation I can see for the rosey view of my country that you have. I have a good country, but please, get real. As for the movie, calling it Australia is a little too presumptuous for my liking. Will give it a go, just the same.

Jason, Sydney, Australia

I think you'll find 'Australians' are pretty offended by the conceits of Australia. In southern Australia, the project's been habitually written off as something of 'a Sydney institution', while northern Australians - in Sydney especially - are having more trouble dodging the embarrassment.

Bob, Carlton, Australia

S K Lin, say wasn't it Austrailia that kept a boatload of Iraqi refugees at sea and not allowing them to land? And maybe we better wait and actually see the movie before handing it a Best Movie Oscar.

Jerry, seattle, usa

Oh yes, we Aussies LOVE to hype things up. You would never see that from the English media would you?

Andrew, London,

"The best thing (Oprah Winfrey) has seen in a long time"? Ms Winfrey has a short memory. Two weeks ago she described Barack Obama's election victory as the "Best thing that has ever happened".

Kevin Browne, Reading, England

Why should America be used as a yardstick to measure the success of 'Australia'? Everyone knows how ignorant and arrogant the Yanks can be.

I say give the Best Movie Award to 'Australia' - this is a phenomenal country with awesome people.

S K LIn, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I think it's slightly generalistic to say 'Australians love "Australia"' - Jim Schembri (movie critic for The Age in Melbourne) stated this morning that it was 'good but a long way from a classic'.
As for me, I know I'll love the scenery but I'm not a big Baz fan...we'll see...

Fiona Castle, Melbourne, Australia

I believe AUSTRALIA - not the US, nor the UK, or any other western European nation - is THE beacon for the rest of the world to sit up and take notice.

Here lies a nation that cares. For their own people. For people around them. For people and all living things in the environment around the world.

S K Lin, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kevan, you have this wonderful series 'Little Britain' which already tells everything to the rest of the world :)

Leonard, Leiden, Holland

All the Australians I know, including myself, are already sick to death of all the breathless hype surrounding the bloody thing. Calling card for the nation my foot- most people here have never laid eyes on the desert and couldn't ride a rocking horse.

Lauren, Newcastle, Australia

Ought the UK make a block buster entitled "Great Britain", there's certainly plenty of material, and history, to go at, but somehow I don't think the rest of the world would "allow" us to be so proud of ourselves, unfortunately. However, best of luck Australia, we wish you well..!

Kevan, Nottingham, England