Kate Winslet plays a woman who returns to her small Australian hometown to reconcile her unfortunate past. Bringing her Paris couture skills back home results in an amusing, but somewhat unrealistic infusion of high fashion in the locals. While she tries to reconcile with her mother (Judy Davis) and get to the bottom of her trauma, she’s wooed by the local hunk (Liam Hemsworth). There are elements of quirky comedy that sometimes work and sometimes seem forced. More unusual is the especially grim final hour, which upends most of the film’s mischievous promise. The dresses are beautiful and the performances are solid, but be prepared to be taken in a dark direction before it’s over. (Criterion Cinemas only)

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