JILTED

Australia, 1987, 90 minutes, Colour.
Richard Moir, Jennifer Cluff, Steve Jacobs, Tina Bursill.
Directed by Bill Bennet.

Jilted was written, produced and directed by Bill Bennett. Bennett made a number of features during the late 80s, ranging from Backlash to the very successful telemovies, Malpractice.

Jilted is set on Frazer Island and highlights the interaction between some guests and the staff. The film is melodramatic in it presentation of characters and their relationships - and some may find the film too stylised and less credibly realistic. Richard Moir is the chef. Jennifer Cluff is the woman about to leave her husband. The supporting cast includes Steve Jacobs as the proprietor of the resort, and Tina Bursill in an AFI-winning supporting actress role as a writer. The cast perform very well. However, the film is
a hit and miss exploration of relationships.

1. The work of Bill Bennett? His perspective on life, relationships? In the Australian context?

2. The Frazer Island locations, the tropical beauty? Authentic atmosphere?

3. The title: to what did it relate most specifically?

4. An exploration of interactions, relationships, love?

5. The world of the resort, the island, isolated?

6. Al and his presence on the island as chef, his awareness of his self-importance, yet at this resort? At work, considered lazy? His relationship with Bob, clashes? With Cindy, an affair? The encounter with Harry - attracted to her, fishing, her moodiness, being late for cooking, tantrums in the kitchen, Harry and her complaint about the cooking? His getting the sack? The affair with Harry, discussions with Paula, the moods of Cindy? Harry and her husband? The possibilities, with Harry on the cliff, the correctness of the decision to break? With Cindy in the surf, the photo - a future?

7. Harry , her appearance, her haircut, driving, interaction with AI, the question about the fish, the tantrum in the restaurant? Her relationship with AI, attracted, resisting, together, tee sensual, sexual encounter? Not telling him about her husband, the husband's arrival, the tension between them, the discussion about her hair, memories? Separating from AI, going off on her own - to what?

8. Bob and his Vietnam experience, telling his story? his relationship with his staff? With Cindy, critical of AI (yet talking frankly with him)? With Paula, the sexual advance, blaming her, her violent reaction, his desperation? Sacking AI, the prima donna chef? Re-employing AI? Trying to make a life on the Island?

9. Paula and her efficient work as manager; isolated from the others, her writing, going into the shed, her film script, the performance, taking Steve's role as well as her own, sexual tension, discussions with Harry, advice to Cindy? Bob's advance, his resistance, blaming her, the attempted suicide? Her being taken from the island, reviving - to what?

10. Cindy and her work on the island, ordinary young woman, relationships, pregnancy, stranded? Her love for AI, relationship with Bob and taunting him, discussions and
confidentiality with Paula? Her attack on AI - the scene with the knives? The end and the photo - a future with AI?

11. The sketch of the husband, his relationship with Harry, coming to the island, his disappointment and desperation at the break-up of the marriage?

12. The young chef and his tantrums in the kitchen?

13. The credibility of the people, their relationships? Interaction of the sexes? Realistic style, stylised? Australian setting?