MovieChat Forums > Lantana (2002) Discussion > Too American, not enough Australian

Too American, not enough Australian

posted 10 years ago by henrimaine
3 replies | jump to latest

I like Australian cinema and I like these kind of ensemble-parallel-story-line films. And I also quite liked Lantana. But I must say there was something missing from Lantana. It was too American, it wasn't enough "Australian" for me. The film could have just as well been taking place in Los Angeles. In fact, Lantana was so similar to Short Cuts (1993) that I already have the two films mixed up in my head. It may be a realistic depiction of middle class city people of Australia, but I would have liked to see some characteristic landmarks that make Australian films stand out. Still, great film.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] london777 8 years ago

Australia is almost the 51st state these days. Culturally it has moved steadily away from its British foundations towards the USA.

I suppose the director could have worked in a few boomerangs and views of Sydney Harbor Bridge and Opera House to make the OP happy.

As a Brit I thought it was distinctively Australian and had a slightly different feel from a US movie. Certainly things were not spelled out, and it assumed some maturity on the part of the audience.

[–] lexyladyjax 8 years ago

Not enough landmarks for you? I was terrified that Barbara Hershey was going to be bitten by a brown snake on the road before the car came along and I'm American. If the accents and the right drive cars and all the tea in mugs weren't enough to tell us lackwit Americans this film's set in Australia, then Lani Tupu as the gay guy's married boyfriend in the bedroom would do. We know where mellaluca trees come from, I promise. We don't require Sydney Opera House panoramas to prove the location is Australian.

Bored now.