Tim Winton adapted his titular 1991 novel (regarded as a classic in his native Australia) for this 2011 miniseries revolving around the tragedies and occasional joys of two large and very dissimilar families—the Lambs and the Pickles—who share a ramshackle dwelling in Perth from 1943 to 1963, living through major historical events, including World War II. The narrative also features an undercurrent related to the country's mistreatment of the aborigines, a situation often referred to as Australia's original sin. But rather than being a gritty portrait of lower-class Aussies struggling to survive, Cloudstreet is full of magical realism, boasting beautiful imagery related to water and light, references to the house breathing like a living thing, bits of high-flown narration, and recurrent allusions to the conflict between religious faith and belief in the power of chance. Although the series interweaves the stories of numerous characters, the central thread follows a boy named Fish (Hugo Johnstone-Burt), who miraculously survives a near-drowning as a child but emerges from the experience mentally disabled and dependent on others. Very specific in time and place, Winton's work is unlikely to carry the same dramatic resonance for viewers outside Australia, but this expansive and handsome production certainly does the novel justice. DVD extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes, character profiles, and a text bio of Winton. Recommended. (F. Swietek)
Cloudstreet
Acorn, 3 discs, 365 min., not rated, DVD: $49.99 Volume 27, Issue 6
Cloudstreet
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