Drama  •  1986  •  108 min

Kangaroo (1986)

Kangaroo poster

Kangaroo (1986)


Rating & Dimensions

Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Traditional
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Family Values: Leans Progressive

Viewer Rating
6.8

Overview

Based on D.H. Lawrence's 1923 novel, this Australian drama follows a British conscientious objector and his wife who settle in post-WWI Australia, only to find themselves pulled between fascist paramilitary groups and trade union militancy. The film earns a Leans Traditional label mostly by default. It carries no progressive identity politics, no LGBTQ representation, and stays faithful to its source material's casting and character genders. Its political framing is actually balanced, treating both right-wing nationalism and left-wing collectivism with equal skepticism. The marriage at its center is intellectually unconventional, which pulls slightly the other way. The dominant signal is simply what the film lacks rather than any strong ideological push.


Starring Cast

Colin Friels  •   Judy Davis  •   John Walton

Detailed Bias Analysis

Analyzing...
Leans Traditional

Primary

Political: Center
Confidence: High

The film critically examines the allure and dangers of both right-wing nationalism and left-wing socialism in post-WWI Australia, ultimately championing an individualistic rejection of all dogmatic political ideologies.

Diversity: Low
Confidence: High

The movie features traditional casting, with no apparent intentional race or gender swaps of roles. Its narrative explores political and personal themes within a historical context, without explicitly critiquing traditional identities.

Secondary

Family Values: Leans Progressive
Confidence: Low

The film portrays a married couple with fluid gender roles and an intellectual, complex relationship that deviates from traditional idealized unions, focusing on individual experiences within the marriage rather than conventional domesticity.

LGBTQ: N/A
Confidence: High

The film 'Kangaroo' (1986) does not feature any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes. The narrative primarily focuses on a heterosexual couple's experiences in 1920s Australia, exploring their relationship, political ideologies, and psychological journeys without incorporating explicit queer representation.

Trans: N/A
Confidence: High

The film "Kangaroo" does not feature any identifiable transgender characters or explore transsexual themes. The narrative focuses on an English writer's experiences in post-World War I Australia, his marriage, and his entanglement with local political groups, without any elements related to transgender identity or portrayal.

Female Combat: N/R

The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.

Gender Swap: No
Confidence: High

The film is an adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's 1923 novel. All major characters, including Richard Lovat Somers, Harriet Somers, Jaz, and Kangaroo (Benjamin Cooley), maintain their original genders from the source material in the film adaptation.

Race Swap: No
Confidence: High

The film adapts D.H. Lawrence's novel, and the main characters, including Richard and Harriet Somers and Ben Cooley, are portrayed by actors whose race aligns with their established depiction in the source material.

Hinduism: N/A
Confidence: High

Not depicted in the film.


Viewer Rating Breakdown

6.8

Viewer Rating

Combines user and critic ratings from four sources

User Ratings

IMDB logo
6.2
The Movie Database logo
7.3

Critic Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes logo
N/A
Metacritic logo
N/A

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