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Oscar and Lucinda

Threat advisory: High - High risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

Oscar and Lucinda intertwines the destinies of two unusual star-crossed lovers: Oscar (Ralph Fiennes), a red-haired man of God who talks like an angel but has a devilish talent for gambling; and Lucinda (Cate Blanchett), an Australian heiress and glass factory owner who attempts to live by her own rules in a society that would damn her for it.

Both are misfits and exiles, risk takers and lovers of chance. But the one thing they cannot seem to risk is to give in to their desire for one another. When Oscar falls madly, hopelessly, in love with Lucinda he sees only one way to win her - through the greatest wager of his life.

Persons of interest

Ralph Fiennes .... Oscar Hopkins
Cate Blanchett .... Lucinda Leplastrier
Ciarán Hinds .... Reverend Dennis Hasset
Tom Wilkinson .... Hugh Stratton
Richard Roxburgh .... Mr Jeffries
Clive Russell .... Theophilus
Bille Brown .... Percy Smith
Josephine Byrnes .... Miriam Chadwick
Barnaby Kay .... Wardley-Fish
Barry Otto .... Jimmy D'Abbs
Linda Bassett .... Betty Stratton
Geoffrey Rush .... Narrator
Polly Cheshire .... Young Lucinda
Gillian Jones .... Elizabeth Leplastrier
Robert Menzies .... Abel Leplastrier
Adam Hayes .... Young Oscar
James Tingey .... Oscar (13 Years Old)
Peter Carey .... Author
Laura Jones .... Screenwriter
Gillian Armstrong .... Director

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

A long film for grown-ups. Which is not to say that it wasn't enjoyable but it's the type of film that requires you to work to enjoy it. Die hard it ain't.

The story is involved, examining involved, adult-type themes (as in they are interesting to adults, not restricted to adults), but ultimately rewarding. Kind of like going home for a home-cooked meal after a few months of junk food.

Ralph Fiennes is subtly concentrated nuttiness, which is appropriate but it doesn't always gel with the other, more stable characters - but taken in isolation it is a good performance. Cate Blanchett is Cate Blanchett ( if you have seen her in any other movie, you will recognise the performance). Most of the supporting characters are both well drawn and well presented.

Visually interesting, occasionally humourous, occasionally surprising, generally well-made, this is a watchable movie, but for a limited (ie mature) audience.

Security censorship classification

M (Low level violence, low level sex scene)

Surveillance time

132 minutes (2:12 hours)

Not for public release in Australia before date

Film: 19 April 2000