Directed by:
Jocelyn MoorhouseCinematography:
Donald McAlpineComposer:
David HirschfelderCast:
Kate Winslet, Judy Davis, Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving, Julia Blake, Shane Bourne, Kerry Fox, Rebecca Gibney, Caroline Goodall, Gyton Grantley, Tracy Harvey (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Based on the best-selling novel by Rosalie Ham, The Dressmaker is a bittersweet, comedy-drama set in early 1950s Australia. Tilly Dunnage (Kate Winslet), a beautiful and talented misfit, after many years working as a dressmaker in exclusive Parisian fashion houses, returns home to the tiny middle-of-nowhere town of Dungatar to right the wrongs of the past. Not only does she reconcile with her ailing, eccentric mother Molly (Judy Davis) and unexpectedly falls in love with the pure-hearted Teddy (Liam Hemsworth), but armed with her sewing machine and incredible sense of style, she transforms the women of the town and in so doing gets sweet revenge on those who did her wrong. (Universal Pictures AU)
(more)Reviews (5)
The Dressmaker is a somewhat unconventional mix of comedy and drama, with the first half introducing the audience to various quirky characters from a small Australian outback town, while the second half rides more on the dramatic wave. Themes such as revenge, the search for truth, prejudice, human limitations and the behaviour of individuals as sheep in a flock permeate the entire film. Personally, I didn't mind the somewhat sharp genre transitions, in fact I welcomed them, because they made the film rather unique. I both laughed my heart out while watching it and my eyes glazed over, which doesn't happen that often. There is only one thing to say about Kate Winslet's performance: perfect! The same goes for Hugo Weaving and Judy Davis in supporting roles. In short, a very well made film, with a lot of emotions – joy, amusement, indignation, but also sadness – proof that this is not some mediocre one-off that will fade like steam over a pot.
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The Dressmaker is a peculiar mix of social drama addressing childhood traumas, forced separation and painful alienation from a family, with a crazy comedy in which we are supposed to laugh at Hugo Weaving campily frolicking around in women’s clothing. For me, these are two irreconcilable film universes, at least in this eccentric, unrestrained Australian take. Someone like Sam Mendes might have been able to pull it off.
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I was sorry that the director could not reconcile the absurdities like from The Big Fish with a typical family drama from a small Australian town. The film just didn’t know which way to go, and the same was true for its humor. It’s very unsure of itself for a long time and then serves you a scene that makes you laugh like crazy. And then there’s nothing for a long time again. Even though dramatically, I daresay it is a family drama so tragic and epic that you’d hardly find its match in cinema. When such a drama turns out well, it is an unforgettable experience. I won’t forget The Dressmaker either, but I’ll keep my rating at solid three stars.
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I was entertained throughout, the characters strongly reminded me of those in The Government Inspector. As a bonus, there’s Agent Smith/Elrond as a transvestite. Unlike some movies, this was far from a waste of time.
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An unassuming film. Its start didn't impress me much, but gradually, it completely won me over, and I found myself just gaping at what I was watching. Beautifully stylized, sometimes wonderfully absurd, but above all, the stunning and literally breathtaking Kate Winslet shines, who this time didn't even have to undress. A beautiful comedy, very black, but excellent.
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