4/10

Ladies in Black is the latest Australian offering, about the lives of a small group of women working in the Sydney Goodes store during the 1950s. Adapted from the novel of the same name, the film follows young Lisa who begins working at Goodes over the Christmas season. While working there she meets several women who are busy dealing with matters of the heart. In getting to know these women, Lisa grows and matures, and begins to realise what she really wants and the battles she must fight to get where she wants to go.

Ladies in Black is packed full of well-known Australian actors including Noni Hazelhurst (Play School), Rachael Taylor (Red Dog, Jessica Jones), Shane Jacobson (Kenny), Ryan Corr (Packed to the Rafters, Not Suitable for Children) and Angourie Rice (Jasper Jones, The Nice Guys).

Not surprisingly, Angourie Rice ruled the film as Lisa, with her young naivety and book smarts which bring a real depth to the character that most of the others lacked. Her determination to go to university despite her father’s, and societies wishes, made her a quiet force, as did the careful manipulation of her mum to allow her to dress more maturely.

However, it was British actress Julia Ormond playing fiery, Slovenian native Magda, who was the star. The film shows her constantly fighting against her immigrant label to prove her worth. In doing so, her performance brings an energy and comedic element to the film that is largely lacking from the other characters, and you eagerly wait for her reappearance every time she’s not on-screen.

The film is sweet but almost a little too sweet. The stories among the other characters range from a  girl who is trying to find a future husband but seems to be consistently set up with dirtbags by her supposed “best friend”; a lady who’s marriage is stuck in a rut despite only having been with her husband for a short time; and the manager of Goodes who watches all the drama unfold but is determined to keep it off the shop floor. Basically, they’re all a bit dull.

Of course, there are the obvious themes being put forward, such as female empowerment, immigration, and racial tensions. Yet the female empowerment element falters, because most of the women are focused on marriage and keeping their husbands happy which is almost the opposite of female empowerment. Likewise, the racial issues are similar in that they haven’t been dealt with properly. Very few characters actually recovered from their racial profiling of other characters, which in some ways, also pushes a belief that Australian’s are mildly racist at heart.

The scale of set design in the film Ladies in Black is unlike anything I’ve seen in an Australian film before, and the costumes add to the romanticism of the whole film. I recommend seeing it for this reason alone, but the film doesn’t have a lot of depth to it falling more into the chick flick, romantic comedy genre.

61 comments

  1. Thank you, I’ve recently been searching for info about this topic for ages and yours is the best I have discovered till now. But, what about the bottom line? Are you sure about the source?

  2. I have been checking out a few of your posts and i can claim pretty clever stuff. I will definitely bookmark your website.

  3. Hey there, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog site in Opera, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, superb blog!

  4. I cling on to listening to the news broadcast talk about getting boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the best site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i find some?

  5. What Is Sugar Defender? Sugar Defender Drops is a powerful friend for people who want to control their blood sugar levels

  6. Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.

  7. I was wondering if you ever considered changing the layout of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?

  8. Usually I don’t learn article on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to check out and do so! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, very great article.

  9. I?¦ve read some good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much effort you place to create any such great informative web site.

  10. Good day! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!

  11. I do like the way you have presented this particular situation plus it really does give me personally a lot of fodder for thought. However, from everything that I have personally seen, I just hope when other comments pile on that individuals continue to be on issue and not get started on a tirade regarding the news du jour. Anyway, thank you for this superb point and though I do not necessarily concur with it in totality, I respect the standpoint.

  12. I am glad for writing to make you understand of the fine discovery my daughter went through going through your webblog. She picked up lots of issues, which include what it’s like to have a very effective giving spirit to let other people effortlessly know various problematic things. You really exceeded my expectations. Thank you for providing the powerful, healthy, edifying not to mention unique tips on the topic to Lizeth.

  13. Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?

  14. What Is Sugar Defender?Sugar Defender is a new blood sugar-balancing formula that has been formulated using eight clinically proven ingredients that work together to balance sugar levels.

  15. It is really a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

  16. Wow, awesome blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is wonderful, as well as the content!

  17. Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care

  18. Hey there, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog site in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, great blog!

  19. I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…

  20. I am really inspired along with your writing skills as smartly as with the format to your weblog. Is that this a paid topic or did you customize it yourself? Anyway stay up the excellent high quality writing, it’s uncommon to peer a nice blog like this one nowadays..

  21. I have been checking out a few of your stories and it’s pretty nice stuff. I will make sure to bookmark your site.

  22. I’m really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one these days..

  23. You made some clear points there. I did a search on the issue and found most guys will consent with your website.

  24. Someone essentially help to make seriously articles I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to create this particular publish incredible. Wonderful job!

  25. It’s in reality a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you simply shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

  26. After study a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I actually like your means of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site checklist and will likely be checking again soon. Pls try my website online as nicely and let me know what you think.

  27. I am really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one today..

  28. What Is Wealth Signal? Wealth Signal isn’t just a financial tool; it’s a new way of thinking about and achieving wealth. Unlike traditional methods that focus on external strategies, Wealth Signal emphasizes changing your internal mindset.

  29. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike.

  30. A person essentially lend a hand to make critically posts I would state. That is the very first time I frequented your website page and up to now? I amazed with the research you made to make this actual put up extraordinary. Magnificent process!

  31. Amazing blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any suggestions? Bless you!

  32. Great write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s web site, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.

  33. I’m just commenting to let you be aware of of the amazing experience my friend’s girl encountered visiting the blog. She came to understand plenty of issues, which included how it is like to possess a wonderful teaching spirit to have many people without hassle learn a variety of tortuous topics. You actually surpassed our expected results. Many thanks for giving the warm and friendly, trustworthy, edifying and also easy thoughts on your topic to Julie.

  34. Good write-up, I’m regular visitor of one’s blog, maintain up the nice operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.

  35. Those are yours alright! . We at least need to get these people stealing images to start blogging! They probably just did a image search and grabbed them. They look good though!

  36. I like the helpful information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here frequently. I’m quite sure I will learn a lot of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  37. Hi I am so thrilled I found your site, I really found you by error, while I was searching on Askjeeve for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a incredible post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the great job.

  38. Just wanna state that this is very beneficial, Thanks for taking your time to write this.

  39. Great website! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am bookmarking your feeds also.

  40. I’ll right away grab your rss as I can’t find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly let me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *