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.
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?
Dead indited subject material, appreciate it for selective information.
Existe – T – Il un meilleur moyen de localiser rapidement un téléphone portable sans être découvert par celui – Ci?
I have been checking out a few of your posts and i can claim pretty clever stuff. I will definitely bookmark your website.
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!
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?
What Is Sugar Defender? Sugar Defender Drops is a powerful friend for people who want to control their blood sugar levels
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.
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?
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.
I’d forever want to be update on new content on this internet site, saved to my bookmarks! .
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.
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!
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.
Very interesting topic, thankyou for posting. “The height of cleverness is to be able to conceal it.” by Francois de La Rochefoucauld.
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.