Despite its title, True History of The Kelly Gang is not strictly biographical, but rather seeks to fictionalise the accounts of Kelly’s activities he left to his son in his diaries. What results is a postmodern examination of how legends are created.
Was Ned Kelly the folk hero that exists in the Australian psyche, the Robin Hood of the outback? The audience are left to question this notion. Was he the brave Boy, tormented by his upbringing, as portrayed by Orlando Schwerdt? The cocky and fearless Man he grew to become? Or the manic Monitor, clad in iron armour? Outstanding performances by Schwerdt and MacKay leave all as a possibility. Was Kelly a man of the people, oppressed and driven to crime by the slimy British constables exemplified in Fitzpatrick (Nicholas Hoult), or was he the brutal murderer and thief they deemed him to be?
Kelly Gang becomes a provocative western with important ideas suited to our post-truth world.
The themes of myth are continued in the not-too-accurate soundtrack and costume design. Kelly and his gang are styled as pseudo-punks and rockers 100 years before their time, with leather jackets (and colourful ballgowns) and striking hairstyles contrasting against the clean cut but fascistic constabulary. The film also features music that evokes Iggy Pop and Nick Cave as much as the outfits, mimicking the rebellious spirit of such controversial figures, leading us to question if Kelly was possibly even cool.
Where critics may possibly launch their attack is at the plot, which is somewhat incoherent, and focuses more on the creation of Ned Kelly, rather than the actions of the gang. However, this only serves to raise doubt about what is truth and what is Kelly’s own fiction. Kelly Gang then becomes a provocative western with important ideas suited to our post-truth world.
Rating: 4/5 stars
