Thanks to the Director-Screenplay-Producer-Lead Actor and what-not Leah Purcell for bringing a woman's point of view during Australia's early brutal years when women rights were overlooked and racism ruled. Cinematography, music and acting are outstanding.
Recommended.
The Legend of Molly Johnson
2021
Action / Drama / History / Thriller / Western
The Legend of Molly Johnson
2021
Action / Drama / History / Thriller / Western
Plot summary
1893, the Australian Outback. The area is rough, the people hard-nosed, the law rather secondary. Here, women - and newcomers anyway - quickly become the pawn of men. Even Nate Clintoff, who is new in town to keep law and order, still has to fight for his place in the hierarchy. Molly Johnson, heavily pregnant and alone with her children on a farm far from town, knows her place only too well. Nevertheless, she doesn't let it get her down. She does everything to protect her children. Everything.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB 2160p.WEBMovie Reviews
A Mystical Tale of Human Nature
Aussie Western
The film is an Australian western that takes place in the 19th century. It deals mainly with the topic of spousal abuse, battered women. It seems the intent of the film is to raise awareness of domestic violence. The film also covers racism through a fugitive aboriginal running from the law.
Unfortunately, I thought the film was too slow. This is my opinion, and you may not feel the same. Also, I wasn't impressed with the scenes between Molly Johnson and Yadaka. I just didn't feel chemistry between these two actors. I didn't like the editing in the scene with Molly and John MaPharlen. It was too choppy. It felt almost as though someone else beside the main editor did that scene.
I also thought the ending, while meant to be dramatic, was undermined by the three women who appeared at Molly Johnson's execution wearing clothing with statements about domestic violence. I don't mean to sound unsympathetic to the thematics of the film, but I thought it was a distraction from what could have been a more powerful ending without it. The film for the most part is subtle with its theme, but then hits you over the head with the three women and their dresses which doesn't match the subtlety of the rest of the film. It just came off as political feminist theatrics in where the focus should have been Molly's final moments.
The cinematography and stills time lapse photography was pretty nice. The soundtrack by Salliana Seven Campbell was also pretty good.
Not the Drover's Wife At All
If you're looking for a film adaptation of the classic short story this isn't it. The original story has been "reimagined" which is modern code for "stolen".
I won't ruin the "plot", but suffice to say the tale is now told through a feminist lens so it plays out exactly as you'd expect without any surprises alone the way.
The usual suspects that view entertainment as a "platform" rather than an artistic medium adore this movie, but if you can still think for yourself you'll likely hate it as I do.