Movies

Link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0277941/

Gripping action and powerful performances by some of today's hottest stars come together in this epic story of a real-life outlaw who defied the law and inspired his people. Actor Heath Ledger (The Four Feathers, A Knight's Tale) brings a raw intensity to the role of Ned Kelly, an innocent man driven to fight the corrupt authorities oppressing his people. Joining Ned's legendary gang is his best friend, Joe, played with devilish charm by Orlando Bloom (Troy, Pirates of the Caribbean) and sexy Academy Award nominee Naomi Watts (21 Grams, The Ring) as Ned's lover, Julia. Overnight, the Kelly Gang become heroes to their people. But as their popularity grows, they quickly find themselves the target of a ruthless lawman (Geoffrey Rush), who soon makes them the most wanted men the world has ever known.

The story of Ned Kelly is an epic one and is told the world over. This movie depicts that story. The story where Ned's people are repressed by the local government and when they jail his mother to get to him they go too far. He, his brother, best friend and another become the most sought after outlaws in the world. The price on their heads is higher than it ever was, and yet no one turns them in. He is not and never was unreasonable. His demands are simple and they fight for the people.

Going into this movie there is good and bad. The good is that it is a Focus Features production. The bad is that Heath Ledger is in it. The former is an attraction to some and should be to more. The latter, if you can get past it, is no big deal. I have a hard time getting past it. I know a lot of the country is sold on Heath Ledger, enough to even nominate him for a Best Actor Oscar, but I cannot separate him from the parts he plays. In Ned Kelly, he wasn't Ned Kelly, he was Heath Ledger playing Ned Kelly.

I firmly believe that if you can stomach Mr. Ledger, then the movie is good and worth seeing. A tale of an underdog society rallying behind an unlikely hero is one I will usually enjoy.

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