By: Russ Matthews
Nothing is more quintessentially Australian than a story involving a wealthy Englishman coming in to close down an air service in beautiful Far North Queensland.
This sets up the Aussie battler spirit against the invading force from the United Kingdom wrapped up in a rom-com. To have Delta Goodrem, Australia’s darling daughter, in the lead as the embattled seaplane pilot fighting for her family business adds to the true Down Under experience. She must do her best to win over investment banker William (Joshua Sasse) with her aging father, Jeff (Roy Billing), and their spunky mechanic, Nikki (Steph Tisdell), at her side. Yet, will the beauty of the country and the pilot win him over, or is this the inevitable end of Fullerton Airways?
Review: Recently, Netflix proved that the death of the rom-com may not be as imminent as many think with the release of Love at First Sight. This beautiful film was a refreshing option for audiences; then they offer up this option that is a polar opposite. This formulaic Australian version could have been labelled as romance by numbers. The locations are breathtaking, and the central characters have some chemistry to make this tale believable. Nothing objectionable about the screenplay or the performances except that very little is original about the story. Still, Love is in the Air is perfect for rom-com tragics who like their romance wrapped in predictable and sanitised packaging.
Reel Dialogue: The Aussie Battler
The Aussie battler is an endearing term meant to describe ordinary people who persevere through life despite the adversities that come their way. They may not be the smartest or wealthiest individuals in their community. Still, they are known to rise above their circumstances while bridging their mates along with them. This role is not unique to Australian culture, but these individuals have a special place in the hearts of the people of the land down under.
When you read through the pages of the Bible, Jesus would have embodied the spirit of the Aussie battler. He was a working-class man who worked his trade throughout his life and fought for the souls of his fellow men. This carpenter didn’t go to the religious elite to help him with his mission either. He reached out to fellow workers like fishermen and the outcasts of society to help with his work. Battlers who did all they could to fight for the betterment of mankind.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Matthew 4:19
If you want to discuss Jesus as a battler, contact us at Third Space. We would love to chat about this and more.
Article supplied with thanks to City Bible Forum.
All images: Movie stills
About the author: Russ Matthews is a film critic at City Bible Forum and Reel Dialogue. He has a passion for film and sparking spiritual conversations.