Cosi Movie Review 1995

Amiable Lewis (Mendelsohn) is hired to help with drama therapy at the local Sydney mental institution. Pressured by long-term patient Roy (Otto), Lewis finds himself agreeing to stage a production of Mozart's opera "Cosi Fan Tutte" though none of the patients can speak Italian or sing. Rehearsals prove a challenge, there are numerous setbacks, and then it's show time. Fine ensemble cast delivers; adapted from Nowra's play. Friels stepped into the role of security guard Errol when Bruno Lawrence died before filming was completed; pic is dedicated to Lawrence.

Distribution

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521-1120, Toll-free: 800-723-4763, URL: http://www.bvhe.com

Available on VHS
Running time 100 minutes.
Originally from Australian.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Sydney, Opera, Adapted from a Play, Behind the Scenes

Screenplay

Louis Nowra

Cast

Ben Mendelsohn, Barry Otto, Aden Young, Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths, Colin Friels, Paul Chubb, Pamela Rabe, Jacki Weaver, David Wenham, Colin Hay, Tony Llewellyn-Jones, Kerry Walker

Cinematography

Ellery Ryan

Director

Mark Joffe

Music

Stephen Endelman

Other

Greta Scacchi, Paul Mercurio

Producer

Richard Brennan, Timothy White, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, Phaedon Vass, Meridien Films Pty Ltd., Australian Film Finance Corp., Smiley Films, Miramax

Awards

Australian Film Inst. 1996: Adapt. Screenplay, Support. Actress (Collette).