The Dressmaker
2015
**
Director: Jocelyn Moorhouse
Cast: Kate Winslet, Judy Davis, Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving, Sarah Snook, Olivia Sprague, Sacha Horler, Caroline Goodall, James Mackay, Rebecca Gibney, Shane Bourne
In 1951, Myrtle "Tilly" Dunnage returns to her hometown of Dungatar, whose inhabitants blame her for a death that occurred 25 ago. Tilly is determined to unravel the secrets of her past, while she uses her dressmaking skills to manipulate the women of the community. Australia has produced some memorably eccentric comedies, such as Muriel's Wedding (1994) and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), but this is not one of them. Jocelyn Moorhouse's film is a tonal mess. It jumps from slapstick to high drama, from revenge to unconvincing romance, and from tragic events to comical deaths. It obviously features a crossdressing policeman and some gorgeous outfits. Moorhouse and her husband P.J. Hogan scripted from Rosalie Ham's 2000 novel, which deals with hypocrisy, malice, prejudice, and small-town small-mindedness.
