In Kangaroo, a disgraced TV host and a young Indigenous girl work together to rescue and rehabilitate a group of orphaned joeys in a remote Outback community. Source: Australian Catholics.
The film opens in the Red Centre of Australia, near Alice Springs. Charlie (Whiteley), a young girl, is running with the kangaroos. She is grieving the death of her father while living with her mother (the always welcome Mailman). Her days consists of some tantrums, missing school and looking after joeys. She bonds with her grandparents Ralph (Blair) and Gwennie (Trish Morton-Thomas).
But then the film cuts to Bondi Beach in Sydney, where we meet a vain, self-important TV weather forecaster, Chris Masterman (Corr). Always the self-promoter, he rushes rashly to save a dolphin – but with dire consequences.
In hopes for a new start in Broome, he drives his luxury car cross-continent. People in the Outback do not take kindly to city slickers like Masterman. And, when he comes to Silver Creek, they all know who he is and mock him.
Then, the dramatic impact. He hits a kangaroo on the road, discovers that there is a joey in the pouch, rescues it – and begins his serious path to caring for kangaroos and for some kind of self-redemption.
The opening notes that the film is inspired by a true story, and, as often happens at the end, there are photos of the real Chris – and, in the credits, he is there wrangling the kangaroos for the film.
As expected, he meets Charlie, and there is a bonding with the kangaroos. He is delayed in Silver Creek waiting for the car to be repaired (by Charlie’s uncle, played amusingly by Ernie Dingo). The townspeople are initially mocking or sarcastic, especially Jesse (Rachel House), who runs the local pub, and Murray (Roy Billing), a learned old codger who tutors the local children.
But, the invitation for the viewer is to see kangaroos and experience the beauty of the Australian Outback. We see kangaroos in motion, the joeys being protected and cared for, Charlie facing her crises, Chris in a lot of farcical situations but eventually coming through,.
Kangaroo is an enjoyable film suitable for all generations, and it won’t harm the tourism industry in central Australia.
Review by Fr Peter Malone MSC, Jesuit Media
Kangaroo: Starring Ryan Corr, Lily Whiteley, Deborah Mailman, Wayne Blair, Ernie Dingo. Directed by Kate Woods. 107 minutes. Rated PG (Mild themes, violence and coarse language).
FULL REVIEW
Kangaroo (Australian Catholics)
