Gary Thompson: This week: Spark-less 'Australia,' peer-less Scott Thomas

BAZ LURHMANN's movies are over the top and then some, and certainly there was enough bombast in

"Australia"

to account for some withering reviews.

The historical epic, set on Australia's frontier, circa 1941, is about a refined British noblewoman (Nicole Kidman) who inherits her husband's cattle ranch, and the rowdy cattleman (Hugh Jackman) who goes with it.

There were meant to be sparks, but they mostly arose from the friction caused by a lack of chemistry between the leads, one of the movie's well-documented flaws.

There were, on the other hand, parts of "Australia" that worked well - Kidman and Jackman are meant to bond over their shared custody of an aboriginal boy, Nullah (Brandon Walters). They protect him from authorities who want to capture and anglicize him, a common practice at the time.

This aspect of the picture works nicely, and the wildly photogenic Walters gives one of the best performances by a child actor in recent memory, giving the movie heart and taking the edge off its cheesy romanticism. $29.99, with deleted scenes.

Kristen Scott Thomas gave one of the year's best non-nominated performances in "I've Loved You So Long," playing a woman who returns to her family after a stint in prison. Even folks who disliked the ending liked Scott's work here. $28.96, with deleted scenes, commentary by director Philippe Claudel. *