The Dressmaker
Kate Winslet is a revenge-seeking femme fatale in this period comedy-thriller adaptation of Rosalie Ham’s novel. Glamorous Tilly (Winslet) returns to her small hometown in rural Australia to pay back those who wronged her, armed with a sewing machine and haute couture style. Co-stars Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving and Judy Davis.
Tilly Dunnage (Winslet) makes a surprise return to her tiny hometown of Dungatar to look after her ailing mother (Davis). It doesn't take long for the glamorous, single globetrotter to set dusty small town tongues wagging, and old resentments to present themselves. As Tilly takes on the foes of her past, there are frocks to be made, and a local hunk (Hemsworth) to flirt with... and maybe a little more.
- Director:
- Jocelyn Moorhouse ('A Thousand Acres', 'How to Make an American Quilt', 'Proof')
- Writer:
- Jocelyn Moorhouse
- Cast:
- Kate WinsletIsla FisherLiam HemsworthElizabeth DebickiJudy DavisHugo WeavingSarah SnookCaroline GoodallKerry FoxRebecca Gibney
Reviews & comments
Variety
pressIt’s surprising how well The Dressmaker coheres, albeit more along narrative lines than tonal ones.
The Telegraph
pressThe film’s major blunder – it’s got plenty of competition – is mistaking Kate Winslet for Rita Hayworth.
The Guardian
pressA loud, batty, fancy-frocked, sashed-and-stockinged revenge story pitched somewhere between an outback period piece and a Wile E Coyote cartoon.
The Age
pressIf Moorhouse's film sometimes falls out of step, then it at least has the self-belief to go out in a blaze of glory.
SBS
pressEnormously good fun, especially if you love clothes and enjoy a makeover montage.
Hollywood Reporter
pressBoasts enough manic energy and straight-up weirdness to keep you entertained before overstaying its welcome in the final act.
Herald Sun
pressIn addition to the inspired direction of Jocelyn Moorhouse, The Dressmaker draws ably on the united effort of an appreciably committed cast.
Quirky, funny & so Australian. So many great Aussie actors, dresses were lovely, a time when women looked elegant & beautifully dressed. A delight to watch when so many movies are all doom & gloom! Yes a bit shallow in the storyline, but who cares, it is not that type of movie. Reminiscent of Murial's Weddind, Strickly Ballroom, but better. Do yourself a...
It's like watching a picture of Australia unfolding itself in front of you. Rich in various elements, although shallow in subject.
This wish-fulfilment/revenge fantasy is highly enjoyable, thanks in large part to an entertaining supporting cast of quirky characters. A great, well told story with some delightfully unexpected moments of slapstick (a wedding-dress-gone-wrong chase sequence is a particular highlight) and wince-inducing violence, that make for a darkly funny and satisfying...
I need to read more reviews before I pick a movie! This was a really uneven story that was stitched together by some nice clothes.
Loved this unashamed chick flick. Yes, a bit cartoonish at times, but an enchanting avenue of escapism. Sure Kate was great. The age difference between Winslett and Snook was hard to disguise, although supposedly their characters were the same age. Overall an enjoyable ride along this meandering tale.
Scenery is stunning. Weaving and Winslet steal every scene. Don't bother with reading the reviews, just go see it. It won't be what you expect and that is part of the brilliance of this movie. Go see it now!
Light entertainment.Crazy australians. Liam Hemsworth phoarrr! I'd give it a 7/10. My cinema was predominantly the retired lot so no problems with annoying cellphones etc. I'd recommend it to my ma.
Best movie I've seen in ages. Funny, clever, sad. Made me laugh out loud and cry. Wonderfully cast and acted. Reminded me of "Strictly Ballroom".
'The Dressmaker' is not the type of film that instantly attracts me to the cinema. It's the wrong genre, (although this film is difficult to place) the wrong story and it creates the wrong type of atmosphere. Leave this to the women, I told myself and go and see something more.......you. How wrong I was, and how glad I was to jump out of my comfort zone. It...
It's hard to describe this flick as it is so rambling and chaotic. Perhaps it worked well as a book and just does not translate to the screen. On the acting front Kate Winslet and Hugo Weaving do their vintage best while Liam Hemsworth seems much too modern with his flawless tan and gleaming white teeth. The pace is jagged and it was a misguided relief when...
Variety
pressIt’s surprising how well The Dressmaker coheres, albeit more along narrative lines than tonal ones.
The Telegraph
pressThe film’s major blunder – it’s got plenty of competition – is mistaking Kate Winslet for Rita Hayworth.
The Guardian
pressA loud, batty, fancy-frocked, sashed-and-stockinged revenge story pitched somewhere between an outback period piece and a Wile E Coyote cartoon.
The Age
pressIf Moorhouse's film sometimes falls out of step, then it at least has the self-belief to go out in a blaze of glory.
SBS
pressEnormously good fun, especially if you love clothes and enjoy a makeover montage.
Hollywood Reporter
pressBoasts enough manic energy and straight-up weirdness to keep you entertained before overstaying its welcome in the final act.
Herald Sun
pressIn addition to the inspired direction of Jocelyn Moorhouse, The Dressmaker draws ably on the united effort of an appreciably committed cast.
Quirky, funny & so Australian. So many great Aussie actors, dresses were lovely, a time when women looked elegant & beautifully dressed. A delight to watch when so many movies are all doom & gloom! Yes a bit shallow in the storyline, but who cares, it is not that type of movie. Reminiscent of Murial's Weddind, Strickly Ballroom, but better. Do yourself a...
It's like watching a picture of Australia unfolding itself in front of you. Rich in various elements, although shallow in subject.
This wish-fulfilment/revenge fantasy is highly enjoyable, thanks in large part to an entertaining supporting cast of quirky characters. A great, well told story with some delightfully unexpected moments of slapstick (a wedding-dress-gone-wrong chase sequence is a particular highlight) and wince-inducing violence, that make for a darkly funny and...
I need to read more reviews before I pick a movie! This was a really uneven story that was stitched together by some nice clothes.
Loved this unashamed chick flick. Yes, a bit cartoonish at times, but an enchanting avenue of escapism. Sure Kate was great. The age difference between Winslett and Snook was hard to disguise, although supposedly their characters were the same age. Overall an enjoyable ride along this meandering tale.
Scenery is stunning. Weaving and Winslet steal every scene. Don't bother with reading the reviews, just go see it. It won't be what you expect and that is part of the brilliance of this movie. Go see it now!
Light entertainment.Crazy australians. Liam Hemsworth phoarrr! I'd give it a 7/10. My cinema was predominantly the retired lot so no problems with annoying cellphones etc. I'd recommend it to my ma.
Best movie I've seen in ages. Funny, clever, sad. Made me laugh out loud and cry. Wonderfully cast and acted. Reminded me of "Strictly Ballroom".
'The Dressmaker' is not the type of film that instantly attracts me to the cinema. It's the wrong genre, (although this film is difficult to place) the wrong story and it creates the wrong type of atmosphere. Leave this to the women, I told myself and go and see something more.......you. How wrong I was, and how glad I was to jump out of my comfort zone....
It's hard to describe this flick as it is so rambling and chaotic. Perhaps it worked well as a book and just does not translate to the screen. On the acting front Kate Winslet and Hugo Weaving do their vintage best while Liam Hemsworth seems much too modern with his flawless tan and gleaming white teeth. The pace is jagged and it was a misguided relief...
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