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First Review: Curtin

If you are fan of William McInnes’ work you won’t want to miss Curtin coming up on the ABC.

This telemovie depicts the Aussie PM who took office from Menzies just as the Japanese started to move southward during World War II. It was a fragile and nervous time for Australia, which struggled to defend itself against the enemy.

Against all odds, Curtin stood up to Churchill and demanded our troops leave battlefields in North Africa to return and protect our northern shores.

William McInnes again proves himself an outstanding actor in the title role. He puts in a mighty performance, roaring like a defiant Labor leader. With sparkling dialogue from writer Alison Niselle, he captures a period vernacular that transports the viewer to a bygone era.

The drama revels in numerous scenes that are more talk than action, as key players debate the theatre of war. In this sense the film has a tele-play feel to it.

In other roles are Love my Way’s Dan Wyllie, Asher Keddie plus Geoff Morell and actress Noni Hazelhurst (who again plays McInnes on screen partner, as she did in Stepfather of the Bride.) I couldn’t help but think there wasn’t a lot of age difference between McInnes, Hazelhurst and “daughter” Keddie.

There is also an unusual directorial choice of allowing characters to address camera, breaking the fourth wall. It’s distracting without necessarily adding a lot.

But these moot points aside, Curtin is solid stuff. The production design, filled with dull browns and wartime khaki is also excellent.

If you are a fan of political drama, don’t miss watching one of our better actors chew up the scenery.

Curtin premieres 8:30pm Sunday April 22 on ABC TV.

One Response

  1. Yes great script but one obvious mistake..no Australian in the 1940`s would say ” step up to the plate”..that is a modern result of invasion ironically enough..DC

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