The opening sequence of The Dressmaker is as beautiful as it is cliché, giving little hint of the zany and absurd story that follows. What stops The Dressmaker from being a stand out film is the storytelling itself: important facts that would have made for intriguing clues are left to the last minute, costing it that finesse which could have made it great.

The cinematography and, of course, costuming help forgive the script’s failings, while the darker moments stop it from being too romantic. The brilliant ensemble cast makes for lively, yet truthful watching.

In a world where trailers give away the plot, The Dressmaker is a delightful and dark surprise.

RATING: 3/5

INFORMATION

CAST: Kate Winslet, Judy Davis, Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving, Kerry Fox, Sarah Snook

DIRECTOR: Jocelyn Moorhouse

WRITER: Jocelyn Moorhouse, P.J. Hogan (Screenplay), Rosalie Ham (Novel)

SYNOPSIS: After being sent away as a child, Myrtle ‘Tilly’ Dunnage is back in her hometown to find some answers.