Australia (the movie) is a sweeping epic reminiscent of great movie classics, such as Gone With The Wind. It is set in World War II, in the Northern Territory of Australia - alternating between the city of Darwin, Faraway Downs (the working ranch at the heart of the movie), and the rolling landscapes of the Kimberly region.

Directed, produced and co-written by Baz Luhrmann (of "Moulin Rouge" fame), the movie features many of his tell-tale trademarks, including a movie that truly focuses - and evokes - the great emotions of the characters and the audience as we are all swept up into the tale of Nullah, the half-Aboriginal child (Brandon Walters), Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman), and "The Rover" (Hugh Jackman).

Australia is a classic tale of romance: an arrogant upperclass woman (Sarah Ashley) journeys to Australia intent on selling her land, and meets a rugged man of the Outback (The Rover), whom she immediately despises. Once she sees firsthand what is really going on here in "the frontier," she determines to save her land - and to do so, she needs to drive her station's cattle herd thousands of miles to Darwin. She teams up with The Rover, as well as a few other unlikely characters from her station - including the Aboriginal boy, Nullah - and together they begin an epic journey, which will take them not only through the rugged - and yet, extremely beautiful - Kimberly Outback, but on a journey of romance, discovery, and falling in love: with each other and with the land.

There are of course other themes at work here in the movie. The struggle against the cattle baron, King Carney, who seeks to rule all of the Northern Territory. The plight of the Aboriginal people, discrimination of both race and class, and the Lost Generation, those Aboriginal children taken from their parents to be raised in churches and missions in an effort to make them "acceptable" to society.

What did I love about this movie? For one, the sweeping landscapes. Australia can be harsh, but it is also a majestically beautiful land that not only takes your breath away, but makes you fall in love with it. I feel the movie did a good job of portraying that, and helping the audience come to appreciate the vast beauty of this region.

It was also a great tear-jerker, for those who love classic movies and classic romance, full of many tender, romantic, redeeming, and heart-breaking moments.

And while Hugh Jackmand and Nicole Kidman did a fantastic job, and their romantic story really was the highlight of the film, I feel Nullah's story - the little Aboriginal boy played by Brandon Walters in his debut - truly stole the show. In his big, soulful eyes, the true story of Australia and its people were captured, and you quickly find yourself cheering and praying and smiling with him every step of the way. His performance was simply amazing, and if all else had been a disaster (which it wasn't!), it would have been worth seeing the movie just for him.

Personally, I also found the side story of Sergeant Callahan (played by Tony Barry) equally intriguing... a man clearly in love with the good Lady Ashley. He was always there looking out for her, offering advice, and trying to save her, but always seemed to know he wasn't the man for her, and quietly stayed on the sidelines. But, then, I've always been a sap for a good unrequited love story, so that might be why I enjoyed this side character so much.

What did I dislike? While there was nothing about this movie I hated - I did rather enjoy it thoroughly - there was some room for improvement. The length was just a little too long. Some movies can get away with nearly three hours of screen time, but sadly Australia isn't one of them. I understand the need and desire for all that occurs after the cattle drive, especially as the story if only half-told at that point, but I think the story could have been better served by being brought in a little bit. I do realize that it was intended to be reminiscent of movies like Gone With The Wind, so the length is no doubt a conscious choice.

The movie also tries to tackle just a little too much, and so the central story gets a little lost in all of the side tales and themes. I personally would have loved a little more focus on demonstrating how and why Sarah Ashley came to fall in love with the land - as an American who has visited Australia numerous times and fallen in love with the country, I felt that was an important theme! But I confess, that could just be my personal opinion.

Regardless, though, Australia is a fabulous, sweeping epic worth seeing. Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman bring to life a classic romance, and Brandon Walters steals the show as the soulful, loving Nullah. Take the time this holiday season to go out and see Australia... and then, of course, plan your own journey down under to fall in love with this beautiful land.