The Sum of Us Movie Review 1994

Sweet and faithful adaptation of David Stevens' stage play about a father and his gay son. Widowed Harry Mitchell (Thompson) shares his house with son Jeff (Crowe), who's never made a secret of his sexual orientation. Affable Harry only wants what's best for his boy, including his over-enthusiastic welcome to Jeff's potential new boyfriend (Polson). Too bad Harry's not so lucky in love--his new woman friend Joyce (Kennedy) has problems with Jeff's sexuality. Well, she just has to adjust. Pervasive feel-good message may leave less well-adjusted viewer addled. Sensitive performances, though the film's antecedents as a play are highlighted by having the main characters talk directly to the camera. Aussie slang provides a challenge.

Distribution

Hallmark Home Entertainment, 6100 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1400, Los Angeles, CA 90048, Phone: (213)634-3000, Fax: (213)549-3760, Remarks: Lainie Handelman, Mktg.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 99 minutes.
Originally from Australian.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Physical Problems, New Year's Eve, Gays, Adapted from a Play, Sydney, Dads, Christmas

Screenplay

David Stevens

Cast

Jack Thompson, Russell Crowe, John Polson, Deborah Kennedy, Mitch Mathews, Julie Herbert, Joss Moroney, Rebekah Elmaloglou

Cinematography

Geoff Burton

Director

Kevin Dowling, Geoff Burton

Music

Dave Faulkner

Producer

Hal McElroy, Errol Sullivan, Southern Star Productions, Australian Film Finance Corp., Samuel Goldwyn Company

Awards

Australian Film Inst. 1994: Adapt. Screenplay; Montreal World Film Fest. 1994: Screenplay.