I should have written this review before seeing the movie, because that is now what is playing in my head when I think of this book. But that’s OK, because the movie is not only relatively faithful to the book, it captures the whackiness and primary-colours feeling of the book.
Initially it was a little difficult to keep track of the myriad eccentric characters of the town of Dungatar, but they very quickly clearly took form in my mind and we were away. It’s easy to understand why some of Australia’s best actors got involved. They must have had a ball picking up these outrageous characters and running with them full pelt.
Tilly Dunnage’s mad mother Molly (Judy Davis), who acts like a real live poltergeist. The town’s adorable cross-dressing Sergeant Farrat (Hugo Weaving), who become’s Tilly’s partner in crime. Frumpy Cinderella Gertrude (Sarah Snook) and apple-of-his-mother’s-eye William. Brawling Beula Harridene (Kerry Fox) and rampantly Old Testament Mr Almanac (Barry Otto), the shuffling hunch-backed pharmacist. Absolutely gorgeous and all-round good-guy Teddy (Liam Hemsworth)… All cartoon characters in a way, but weaving a solid story of redemption and revenge.
And of course there is Tilly Dunnage herself, captured beautifully by Kate Winslet who, might I say, absolutely nailed the Aussie accent (although tempered by the character’s stint in London and Paris)!
Loved it!
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