After finishing ‘The Dressmaker’ (2015). I have to say, for a movie that I had never heard of – I was really impressed by this ‘Australian revenge comedy-drama’ starring Kate Winslet & Liam Hemsworth.
Production value was pretty astounding – transforming natural settings in the outback into the 1950’s era that the story was set in both in the set build and in the technology used in the film (including a period locomotive and 1950s automobiles).
The actor character portrayals were pretty convincing as well – with a stylistically deranged recluse to a gas-lighted mother grieving her dead son. Although, the takeaway supporting performance, in my opinion, was the portrayal of Sergeant Farrat (Hugo Weaving), the only visible police presence in the small village community who was also discreetly living as a cross-dresser while keeping the small community in a state of livable co-existence – the awards he won for this role were definitely well-deserved.
If you enjoy comedic-dramas that make you laugh, build characters that you care about, and feel sympathy for characters at the mercy of life, I’d recommend watching this film.
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆