Directed by:
Jocelyn MoorhouseCinematography:
Donald McAlpineComposer:
David HirschfelderCast:
Kate Winslet, Judy Davis, Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving, Julia Blake, Shane Bourne, Kerry Fox, Rebecca Gibney, Caroline Goodall, Gyton Grantley, Tracy Harvey (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
Jocelyn Moorhouse directs this Australian revenge comedy starring Kate Winslet as Myrtle Dunnage, a woman who returns to her hometown to take care of her ailing mother Molly (Judy Davis). Myrtle's return sparks much debate between the residents of the town as she was accused of murdering someone many years ago. Now an expert dressmaker, Myrtle goes about transforming the local fashion while exacting her revenge upon those who have wronged her in the past... The supporting cast includes Liam Hemsworth and Hugo Weaving. (Entertainment in Video)
(more)Reviews (5)
The Dressmaker is a peculiar mix of social drama addressing childhood traumas, forced separation and painful alienation from a family, with a crazy comedy in which we are supposed to laugh at Hugo Weaving campily frolicking around in women’s clothing. For me, these are two irreconcilable film universes, at least in this eccentric, unrestrained Australian take. Someone like Sam Mendes might have been able to pull it off.
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I was sorry that the director could not reconcile the absurdities like from The Big Fish with a typical family drama from a small Australian town. The film just didn’t know which way to go, and the same was true for its humor. It’s very unsure of itself for a long time and then serves you a scene that makes you laugh like crazy. And then there’s nothing for a long time again. Even though dramatically, I daresay it is a family drama so tragic and epic that you’d hardly find its match in cinema. When such a drama turns out well, it is an unforgettable experience. I won’t forget The Dressmaker either, but I’ll keep my rating at solid three stars.
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The Dressmaker is a somewhat unconventional mix of comedy and drama, with the first half introducing the audience to various quirky characters from a small Australian outback town, while the second half rides more on the dramatic wave. Themes such as revenge, the search for truth, prejudice, human limitations and the behaviour of individuals as sheep in a flock permeate the entire film. Personally, I didn't mind the somewhat sharp genre transitions, in fact I welcomed them, because they made the film rather unique. I both laughed my heart out while watching it and my eyes glazed over, which doesn't happen that often. There is only one thing to say about Kate Winslet's performance: perfect! The same goes for Hugo Weaving and Judy Davis in supporting roles. In short, a very well made film, with a lot of emotions – joy, amusement, indignation, but also sadness – proof that this is not some mediocre one-off that will fade like steam over a pot.
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I was entertained throughout, the characters strongly reminded me of those in The Government Inspector. As a bonus, there’s Agent Smith/Elrond as a transvestite. Unlike some movies, this was far from a waste of time.
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An unassuming film. Its start didn't impress me much, but gradually, it completely won me over, and I found myself just gaping at what I was watching. Beautifully stylized, sometimes wonderfully absurd, but above all, the stunning and literally breathtaking Kate Winslet shines, who this time didn't even have to undress. A beautiful comedy, very black, but excellent.
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