Kennedy Miller’s last mini series of the 80s was a fitting end to a great collection of programs. After having dealt with such quintessential Aussie subjects as war, cricket and the outback, Kennedy Miller here tackle a more contemporary aspect of Australian society: namely, being wrongly accused of drug smuggling in a third world country. Nicole Kidman, in a star-making performance, plays a shy girl whose dodgy con man boyfriend (Jerome Ehlders) makes her unknowingly carry some smack at Bangkok airport and does the bolt when the cops arrive. She winds up in prison and it’s up to her estranged father (Denholm Elliott, excellent as always) and a lawyer (Hugo Weaving) to get her out.
Screenwriter Terry Hayes piles on everything but the kitchen sink to get a response - nasty gaol wardens, disgraced army captains, oppressive mother figures a la Now Voyager, mansions in the middle of nowhere, sex, heroin addicts who only smuggle to help their retarded brother - but it is all extremely entertaining, ending with a thrilling climax and touching resolution. The performances are all excellent (though I don’t think a single Thai character is portrayed sympathetically), as is Ken Cameron’s direction. Sets a high standard to be matched if ever Shapelle Corby wanted to do a telemovie, and makes one wish (yet again) that Kennedy Miller would go back to making television.
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