Emerald City
Emerald City

Movie spotlight

Emerald City

1988
Movie
92 min
English

A couple move to Sydney from Melbourne, and soon become lured by the bright lights of the big city. Colin, the scriptwriter husband, is corrupted by his editor and then falls for the girlfriend of his writing partner, while Colin's wife Kate begins to lose sight of her ideals in a new world of hustlers and cynics.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes80%
Director: Baz LuhrmannGenres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

In the cutthroat world of Sydney's advertising industry, ambitious Colin discovers that success comes at a moral cost. He schemes to climb the corporate ladder, manipulating relationships and betraying colleagues, all while pursuing the elusive socialite, Anna. As Colin's deceptions unravel, he must confront the emptiness of his manufactured success.

Critical Reception

Emerald City received a mixed but generally positive reception, praised for its sharp dialogue, stylish direction, and strong performances, particularly from Nicole Kidman. Some critics found its satire of yuppie culture a bit heavy-handed, but it was largely seen as a provocative and entertaining look at ambition and materialism in the 1980s.

What Reviewers Say

  • Sharp and witty dialogue captures the zeitgeist of 1980s ambition.

  • Stylish direction and a youthful cast, including a standout Nicole Kidman.

  • Satire on materialism and corporate ladder-climbing is both biting and entertaining.

Google audience: Audience reception information is not readily available for this film.

Fun Fact

This film marked one of Baz Luhrmann's earliest directorial efforts, showcasing his distinctive visual style that would later define his career with films like Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge!

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