MR RELIABLE
Australia, 1996, 112 minutes, Colour.
Colin Friels, Jacqueline Mc Kenzie, Paul Sonkkilla, Frank Gallacher, Barry Otto, Ken Radley, Graham Rouse, Elaine Cusick, Jonathan Hardy, Susie Porter, Geoff Morrell, Aaron Blabey, Lisa Hensley, George Shevtsov.
Directed by Nadia Tass.
Some readers may remember the summer of 1968 and a siege at Glenfield in NSW. The perpetrator was Wally Mellish. Well, Wally Mellish is Mr Reliable and this is his story, his love for Beryl and the story of how the siege galvanised a curious public as well as the Police Commissioner and the NSW Premier.
Nadia Tass has made Malcolm, The Big Steal and Stark. She has the ability to bring a light and satiric comic touch to her films which means that they have a gentleness about them, but they are always able to see the funny side of people and events and so make her themes hugely enjoyable. Colin Friels (who was Malcolm, now famous as a Water Rat) is completely convincing as ex-con and simple man, Wally, who gradually finds that, unintentionally, he has caused Sydney's most famous siege - and relishes the notoriety in a relaxed Ocker way. Jacqueline Mc Kenzie also shows her versatility as Beryl who can't quite work out how she got into these situations.
Filmed in Queensland (for NSW), this is an engaging comedy that has many acute observations on being Australian.
Very entertaining.
1. An enjoyable film? For Australians? For overseas audiences? The comic tone? The blend of satire and feelgood comedy?
2. The film based on an actual story, the comic treatment here? The perspective on Australia, Australians and their attitudes, police, law and order, the Vietnam War?
3. The Australian situation in 1968, the role of the police, the Vietnam demonstrations, not being able to handle a siege, experience and inexperience, the police jokes and their consequences? The blend of naivety and common sense? Petty criminals and their lives? The suburbs, gossip, money and jobs, solidarity, the onlookers and making a circus, the authorities, the police, the commissioner, the premier? The combination of all these elements to make the siege a reality?
4. Glenfield, the roads, houses, abandoned buildings, the open ground? The home of the working class.
5. The title, Wally and its use of it, his wanting to get a job, getting out of prison, leading a profitable life?
6. Colin Friels as Wally Mellish, embodying the ordinary Australian? Getting out of prison, the reputation of his family, wanting to make a new start, the discussion with the factory manager, the area, doing up the house? Meeting Beryl on the street, her son? Beryl’s family and their prejudice against the Mellishes? Faye and her friendship with Beryl, suspicious of Wally? Beryl and Wally talking, flirting, Beryl moving in with the baby, Beryl and her supermarket job, her being fired, the harassment from the boss?
7. The set-up in the house, making a go of it, Wally ingenuous, in love with Beryl, Beryl not necessarily in love with him, but liking him, somewhere safe for the son?
8. The police officers, the joke against the Mellishes, the guns, Wally firing back, the complete misunderstanding? The talk, messages and information going past each other? The unwitting escalation, the decisions, the stupidity, the setting up of the siege, the phone calls, the increasing number of police?
9. The neighbours, the police wanting their house, their wanting to take their TV and the aerial, going to the migrant neighbours, their prejudice? The migrant and his reaction? The young boy, the girl, the sexual encounter, the mother and her catching them, the father and his smirking reaction?
10. The involvement of the police commissioner, Norm Allen and his character, a more peaceable policeman, willing to talk, his thinking things through, the contrast with Don Ferguson, his hawkish attitudes, wanting action? Norm and the phone calls, Wally calling him Norm, the casual background, the misinterpretations of the discussions? The setting up of the wedding, the reverend coming in, the background of knowing Wally in prison, Beryl and her signing the documents? The invitation to Norm Allen to be best man? The press and their interest, the television interview?
11. The local police, the policeman in charge, young and inexperienced, the reaction of the crowds, the squads coming in, the snipers, their being involved, the guns on the house, the shootings? The end and their cheering Wally as he came out? The sniper who killed the dog?
12. The press, the range of reporters, the television? Penny Wilberforce and her being on the job, Bruce Morrison – and his look of the 60s? Their discussions, observing, the paper wanting an article on underwear, his ringing up Wally, the phone call? The sexual relationship between Morrison and Penny?
13. The reverend, going into the house, the serious nature of the wedding, the candles, finding the ring, the ceremonies, Beryl upset that there was no kiss?
14. The psychiatrist, the hippie style of 1968, the discussions with Wally, Wally one-upping him, his saying ‘Cool’?
15. Inside the house, Wally and Beryl, carrying on ordinarily, the baby watching the TV, the concern about safety, the rifles, the things that had been nicked – causing the whole situation? The turning off of the electricity, the heat, the people tossing the Coca- Cola cans?
16. The dog, Wally’s best friend, going out to get the Coca- Cola, the sniper shooting the dog, the people’s dismay, Norm getting the dog to the vet, the dog’s return, the triumph?
17. The carnival atmosphere during the whole week, the man coming to sell drinks and food, the ocker attitude, with the authorities, his supporting Wally, tossing the Coca- Cola, urging everyone else to? The children and their playing?
18. The premier, his arrogant attitude, playing pool, getting Ferguson and Allen to do their jobs, wanting to save face? Ferguson and his personality, continually wanting to attack, the confrontations with Wally, inside the house, the difference with Norm Allen, his wanting Allen’s job? Norm Allen, finally going in, the gun in his mouth, the phone call, the cups of tea? Allen finally coming out, doing his best with the premier?
19. The Vietnam situation, the police and the premier, public opinion, getting Wally to agree to go to Vietnam, Wally thinking it was a good idea, going to the recruiting office, the fact that he couldn’t read or write?
20. The deals, no charges, saving face – and Wally happily returning home to Beryl and the boy?
21. The film and its humour – yet astute observations on Australian character and behaviour and tradition?
