Australia: The movie I’m trying hard to ignore

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More than seven years have passed since Baz Luhrmann directed Moulin Rouge! The pop musical set in turn-of-the-century Paris brought the musical genre back to life.  Now can Luhrmann do the same for the romantic epic with Australia?

I’ve tried hard to ignore the picture, expecting the worst if my expectations get too high.  I’m generally quite skilled at managing my own expectations ahead of a release.  But this one is getting to me.  When the trailer came out, I watched it 5 times before I told myself to stop. (You can see it here. Damn it! I watched it again.)  Still, 20th Century Fox keeps feeding me little bread crumbs that I can’t help gobbling up.

I mean, check out this poster released today:

Luhrmann’s movies have a startling power.  As cynical as I can be, every single film he has produced gets to that hopeless romantic in me.   Hell, I saw Moulin Rouge! 10 times in the theater when it was released.  Because I’m paying my own bills now, I am praying that Australia doesn’t have the same effect on me.

Luhrmann’s Australia, starring Aussies Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman, hits theaters on Nov. 14.