Rating: 
Summary: Not 'gay' but homosexual
Review: I have seen the play on stage twice in my local area and bought the script because there are so many great lines. The video expands on the original play and is an enhancement. If you like 'Queer as folk' you won't like it. I identify very much with the lines in the production. It is a film for homosexuals and not for the 'gay set'.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I have to confess - i was very suspicious of this movie before seeing it. I always disliked the way the film-makers (in any country) introduced us the homosexual theme (and everything related) and somehow coudn't imagine "Maximus" in such role. This movie also wasn't well-known outside Australia inspite playing in some theaters (you can even find a couple of reviews on Rotten Tomatoes) in the US.
I was ready to be disappointed. Actually at the beginning i was... But decided to see it till the end (well, i rented it after desparate search in my local video store - i just had to make my money worth). After 10-15 minutes of not very "fresh" or sophisticated entrance (when i mostly spend my time envying Crowe's legs - and i'm a female, mind you!!!) with a lot of expletive (alas, throughout the whole movie) both main actors (Thompson and Crowe) suddenly started to act. And the plot start to develop (which also helped).
This is a very simple story. Heterosexual father-widower (Jack Thompson) and his homosexual son (Russell Crowe) live together in Sidney mostly working, preparing food, buying stuff in local supermarket - overall living the pretty ordinary life. And while the son looks for his "Mr.Right" in a local gay bar, his dad preoccupied with both showing tremendous support for his son's life style and looking for for his "Mrs. Right" or, at least, as he calls it "the second best thing". I won't go further into the plot - you have to find out yourself if you're interested.
It's not "the greatest film of all times". But no movie is.
It's just really little, warm and very human one. Something, i'm sure, you can't apply to most movies you see both on TV or in the theaters. Because unlike most go-on "feel-good", family tear-jerking gems this one does moves you.
It's also quite well-made. Not something outstanding considering the plot, script, directing, cinematography etc', but really good. I also like to mention very pleasant and memorable score. But....
The main power of this film lies in the acting abilities of its stars (with a great support from Debora Kennedy and John Polson as well) and they don't disappoint. I don't think you can find many films with such charming and strong acting, such great chemistry between the leads. And it's mostly them who make the simple but true message of this movie sound so clearly.
It's not about gays. It's not about lesbians. It's not about heterosexuals either. It's about love. Between children and parents, between men, between women, between men and women. Any kind of. But does it really matter if it's A TRUE ONE?!
Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: One of the sweetest movies ever
Review: I LOVE this movie and have watched it countless times. Its funny, sad, touching, hilarious, sweet, and in general a feel good movie. All kids should have the kind of relationship that Jeff (the character played by Russell Crowe) is lucky enough to have with his father. The world would be a far better place for it.Jeff's father, Harry, is a widow, and is not only Jeff's dad, he's also his best friend. The film focuses on their relationship with each other and with their prospective partners. Jeff is gay, and rather than being the stereotypical "movie father" full of shock at his son's sexuality, Harry is very supportive of his sons lifestyle. As Harry explains in the movie, our kids are after all "the sum of us" . Jack Thompson and Russell Crowe are a joy to watch as Harry and Jeff, father and son, and best mates, and this is a genuinely wonderful, touching movie which draws as many tears as it does laughs. One to look out for, and well worth a watch. Harry and Jeff will stay with you long after the end credits have finished running.
Rating:
Summary: I loved it!
Review: I loved it. Im really a person into action's like Aliens, Die Hard, The Matrix, Air Force One. But I got the whole idea of seeing this movie for a friend who does get more free time than me! Crowe (Gladistor)had this special trait that always made me smile. And at some points you needed to listen for important parts that brought this movie together. Thompson I was never crazy about as an actor. But his bond with Crowe payed off. Now the homosexaul theme does not threaten the bases of the movie for the movie has characters that speaks for it's self. I seen this film 3 time and carries different reponses each time. The first I was hopping that the two stay in relationship. The 2 I understood the logic of the two and fell more into the elements of reality. The third I got a less possitive reponse and started thinking of the different ways the film could have ended but with more empact. I love the setting and been to Australia. The thought of the character talking to the camera is annoying but isn't original for I seen it in movies before and doesn't out do the performance it's self for you will get used to it. I own this VHS and I looked almost everywhere to find it. Then I found the last one at Record Town at the Boca Mall. But I hardly ever watch VHS anymore because I got a DVP. And am starting a collection.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Father's Day Movie
Review: I saw this movie again around Father's Day this year. What a great movie to celebrate the love between fathers and sons. Would that more fathers had Harry's attitude towards their gay children and that children, gay or straight, were as caring as Jeff is for his father. It would please me no end to know that the father is this fine movie is based on someone the playwright David Stevens knew in his own life. Jeff, played by Russell Crowe, lives with his widower father Harry Mitchell played by Jack Thompson. Much of the movie is about Harry's concerns that Jeff doesn't have a boyfriend. The repartee between father and son will make you laugh; the scenes of Harry's mother and her Lesbian lover shot in black and white will make you cry. There is no much to like about this movie. Russell Crowe does a terrific job of acting in the intimate scenes between him and a man he brings home from a bar. The fine acting here should convince anyone-- should they need convincing-- of just how awful Will Smith's similar scenes were in "Six Degrees of Separation." No man as macho as Smith would dare to kiss another male on screen. I read recently that Crowe years ago played Frankenfurter in an Australian stage version of "The Rocky Horrow Show." Now wouldn't that have been something to see!
Rating:
Summary: truly touching
Review: i saw this movie on tv years ago and almost forgot about it until it resurfaced on dvd. at the time i had no idea who russell crowe was, but i do remember that this movie really stuck with me to remember it so many years later. this is a very unconventional movie, especially in the father son aspect. you have a very loving father of a gay son. this is not a typical relationship in the movies or in real life, but it really works. this movie really tries to put acceptance at the core of this movie. the father completely accepts who is son is and tries to support him in every way shape and form. the movie sets up a nice contrast with a possible love interest with russell's character because the other character, greg, is not out to his parents, and when they find out his father threatens him and kicks him out of his home. i really like the aspect of seeing both ends of the spectrum in this regard because it really shows the two poles of relationships between gay children and their parents. another scene shows the father walking in on russell crowe and the character greg fixing to make out, while the father could care less, the character greg sprints from the couch shaking in fear. this is the type of realness i like to see in a movie. a movie not afraid to show the fear gay men feel in real life. the story continues with the father trying to find love again and also showing flshbacks of crowe'slesbian grandmother. this is the type of movie that genuinely tries to show the depth of love and devotion. it also nicely portrays the longing gay men feel for a companion, and how they are capable of love just like anyone else. this movie is so touching, wonderfully acted, and a nice gem to add to any collection. i love this movie and highly recommend this movie to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: RUSSELL SHINES AGAIN
Review: I STUMBLED UPON THIS FILM, AFTER VIEWING SOME OF RUSSELL CROWES MORE POPULAR FILMS SUCH AS GLADIATOR, THE INSIDER, LA CONFIDENTIAL, ETC... THIS IS A WONDERFUL FILM, THAT MAKES YOU APPRECIATE MR. CROWES TALENT, AFTER SEEING HIM AS A GLADIATOR IN ANCIENT ROME AND THEN SEEING HIM PORTRAIT A YOUNG GAY MAN SEARCHING FOR HIS SOMEONE SPECIAL, IT WAS QUITE AN EYEOPENING EXPERIENCE. HE IS VERY BELIEVABLE IN THE PART AND SHOWS SIGNS OF THAT SAME FACE HE SHOWS IN THE INSIDER, HE HAS A CERTAIN WAY WITH HIS FACIAL EXPRESSIONS THAT MAKES YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT HE IS FEELING WITHOUT ANY DIALOGUE. THE ONE SCENE WHEN HE HAS BEEN REJECTED BY GREG, JUST THE LOOK ON HIS FACE MAKES YOU WANT TO CRY....A GREAT FLICK, GLAD I FOUND IT...
Rating:
Summary: The Sum Of Us, Great Movie...
Review: I was not sure what to expect of this movie when I first rented it. As soon as I started watching though, I was amazed! It was a heartwarming movie, very well done. One of Russell Crowe's best performances, I believe. He has a talent to totally loose himself in the part he is playing, and to change completley from part to part, and he excersises that talent to the maximum in this movie. This was the first film he did after Romper Stomper and if you've seen that you'll understand what I mean. Jack Thompson is an amazing actor, too, and plays his part well. I would reccomend this movie to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: The Sum of Us
Review: If you're a fan of Russell Crowe, you must see this DVD. It's a very touching story and all great performances. It's made in the Australian style, not Hollywood. In other words, it's real, honest, not politically correct, slick, or contrived. It's one of my favorites by Russell. The scene where he visits his father in the hospital melts the heart. The look in his eyes is more soulful than in any other performance. The script is also humourous. However, it's not for the homophobic.
Rating:
Summary: A true love story
Review: Just in time for Father's Day, the release of this charming film
is appropriate. It's a love story about a father and son. The father is a passionate and caring man who has raised a very good son. The son happens to be gay and this bothers the father not a wit. He is like a doting parent who hopes his son finds "Mr. Right".
The story line at times is a bit hackneyed and sappy, but the warmth between father and son overcome any faults with the script.
The real success of this film is in the performance of Jack Thompson as the father and Russell Crowe as the son. Released in 1994, this was Crowe's big break and he had to fight to get the part. He gives a very funny and tender performance.
John Polson and Deborah Kennedy give admirable performances as Crowe's boyfriend and Thompson's fiancee respectively.
It's a feel good movie and I highly recommend it.
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