Australian author Peter Carey penned a novel, True History of the Kelly Gang, that upon its release in 2000, became an instant Down Under classic. The beloved tale is based on the life of a legendary outlaw, Ned Kelly. With 1917 breakout star George MacKay inhabiting Kelly, one thing is for certain of the film adaptation, you know the performance of the lead is going to be bloody brilliant.
The award winning book (Booker Prize, Commonwealth Writers Prize) was penned for the screen by Shaun Grant, who delivers numerous moments for the movie’s ensemble to be electric, but overall creates a story arc that is a bit bumpy.
Bringing the entire written word to life is an ensemble that is among the best so far this year, easy. The cast is sublime and each keenly knows their place in the drama that paints the harsh life of rural Australia during the nineteenth century. MacKay’s brilliance is matched by Russell Crowe, Nicholas Hoult, Charlie Hunnam, Thomasine McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit), Essie Davis and Earl Cave. Crowe is dazzling and makes the most of his minute screen time. He is a mentor for a boyhood Ned (Orlando Schwerdt), who proves to tether the oldest Kelly boy to a life of crime. Hoult is Constable Fitzpatrick and his character is essentially the embodiment of the British overlords that ruled the prisoner colony that was Australia. They never miss a chance to remind those who were forcibly brought to this desolate country that their fate is not their own. As such, there is a palpable anger that not only exists within Ned Kelly, but his family and any Australian soul we meet along the way.
An opportunity was missed, though, to make a wider-spanning statement about the British and their empire building and the crushing effect it had on millions of souls across the globe. Then again, True History of the Kelly Gang is not necessarily about that. But its presence is impossible to ignore for this writer who has spent many an hour studying Australian history. In many ways, Ned Kelly turned out the way he did because of the presence of the British and their constant reminder, to those who are reluctant Australian citizens, of their place in this world.
There is a resentment theme that permeates the story. It commences with Ned’s rage against his father and evolves to involve his mother, his keeper (Crowe), the British, the constable and any number of folks who get his way of what he believes is right. There is even some resentment in Ned’s younger brother towards him for leaving home and leaving them to fend for themselves. Yet the potential power of that emotion is lost on the abrupt and nonsensical turns the script takes to get where it is going. Put it this way, the film is called True History of the Kelly Gang and we don’t even get to see what this horde can even be until past the 90-minute mark.
There is a dust bowl feel to the landscape, that is so raw, it makes one thirsty simply watching it! Cinematographer Ari Wegner, with the Australian rugged outdoors as his palette, has painted an absolutely stunning picture that frames the actors in the most exquisite of natural surroundings. The burnt-looking foliage that surrounds Ned’s boyhood home is as haunting as anything in a Stephen King book. The 1860s and 1870s Australia has never felt so desperate and desperate. The contrasting production design of the haves’ homes versus the have not’s abodes is striking as well. Below the line work on True History of the Kelly Gang is superb.
Justin Kurzel does his best as director and lucky for him, he has a cast who can take an average-level script and bring it to life. Sadly, there isn’t enough provided by the screenplay to coherently capture Carey’s novel’s power and prose. The flick is, however, worthy of a home watch, which works out because theaters are closed, and the film is available for streaming.
Grade: B-