A HEARTBEAT AWAY
Australia, 2010, 90 minutes. Colour.
Sebastian Gregory, Isabel Lucas, Colin Friels, William Zappa, Tammy Mc Intosh, Roy Billing, Kerry Walker.
Directed by Gale Edwards.
Old-fashioned storytelling and film-making that may seem to much of the past to the intended audiences. Since it is aimed at the young as well as the old, it might be fairer to say that it misses its mark with the young but might well entertain the older who enjoy a feelgood movie.
The setting is Queensland, a country town. In 1990, a tempest rivalling that of Shakespeare's, has wreaked havoc for the local marching band. During the opening credits in downpour, with thunder and lightning and rolling clouds (the film-makers liked these effects and use them again later), the musicians slip and slide in the mud and lost the competion trophy. Life has been humdrum since, though they gather to rehearse rather half-heartedly and are getting older. Some of them bicker.
The conductor (William Zappa looking angrily sullen most of the time) has a teenage son whom he is continually putting down, bemoaning his son's waste of musical talent. Kevin (Sebastian Gregory) leads a rock and roll band.
How will these two stories combine? How will the generation gap be bridged, because we know it will?
Well, keep an eye on Brassed Off. Get the conductor knocked down by a truck and then stuck in hospital. Let Kevin gather the players together. Let him succeed, especially with his friend Mandy (Isabel Lucas) who teaches aerobics and can put the band through a few paces they never thought they would be performing.
In the meantime! Mandy's father is the mayor (Colin Friels) who has ambitions for a huge re-development to revive the town now on hard economic times. The barrier to this (apart from the fact that he is a nasty, scheming, do-badder) is that, of course, the hall for the band's rehearsals is slap-bang in the middle of the land.
You know that all will have to end well and you know that there will be a lot of hurdles before that. But, the feel good is seeing how it all pans out and (spoiler!), Kevin leads the oldies to victory. A light old-style story for a rainy day.
1. Old-fashioned film-making? The differences of the generations? Family differences? Musical differences? Audience expectations – formula and predictability? Audiences expecting the formula and enjoying it?
2. A sense of niceness about the film, feelgood?
3. The Queensland setting, the town, the old-style town, the pensioners and their loss of work, the shops and services, the mayor and plans for development, the world of rock ‘n roll, the world of marching bands?
4. The range of music, the classics, rock ‘n roll, Macarthur Park, late 20th century music? The traditional marches? The arrangements? The marching, the dancing, the new moves for marching bands?
5. The opening, 1990, the rain, the band and their falling in the mud, the sense of failure? A heartbeat away from winning?
6. The situation in the town, the closing of the cannery, unemployment, prospects, people wanting to move away, the plan for the multimillion-dollar development? The threat of the band’s headquarters for the development plans? The David and Goliath situation?
7. Edwin and his personality, at home, his continually attacking Kevin, humiliating him, dismissing him, saying that he didn’t appreciate his musical gifts? His relationship with his wife, the younger son? His skill as an electrician and his being praised? His leadership of the band, conducting, controlling, his anger at their poor performance? His waiting for Kevin, walking, the accident? In hospital and his tantrums? The visits of his wife, of Kevin? The band visiting – and the vote to disband or go to a neighbouring band? His anger, not being told about Kevin’s conducting, his outburst towards his wife, her speaking very bluntly to him? Irascible, the contrast with his wife as nice, her piano lessons, moderate and moderating?
8. Kevin and his age, the loud music, his poor relationship with his father, his following his mother’s advice, thinking to apply for the job? His rehearsal with his band, his rock ‘n roll talent, the lead singer and his dominance, the relationship with Mandy? His friend in the band, the other yes-man in the band? Signing up – and his stepping forward as the leader? The effect of his father’s attacks, self-confidence? The rivalry with Tripod? Seeing Mandy, the guitar in the shop, playing and dancing, the accident, his being upset, excusing himself, his mother persuading him to repay his father? The first episode of conducting and the sense of failure? His meeting the band members, learning from the old, gradual change, the range of music, the choices, Tommy and his encouragement, Mandy coming and teaching the band the moves? The playing and the success?
9. The range of characters amongst the old players, Tommy and his leadership, his clashes with his neighbour and taunts, Gino and the drums, Dawn and her work in the library, their work in the town? The memories of 1990? Ageing, a new opportunity? Working together? The man who went to the opposite band, knowing that the timekeeper had cheated, coming back for the playoff and the band all playing together? The rain coming again and their dismay? Kevin and his playing the guitar, morale-boosting? The crowds on their side?
10. Mandy, nice, the guitar, her father the mayor, the aerobics, Tripod and his dumping her, her help with Kevin, the moves, her father’s disapproval, her being hurt on hearing of the bet, bringing the guitar at the end, not moving to Sydney?
11. The mayor, his plans, his business associate, the meetings, the dollar signs in the eyes of the local council, the plan for the buildings, the irony of the band’s headquarters being on the block? Going to the rival band, the bet with Kevin, the night of the performance, his being pleased, the timekeeper bribed, the coming of the rain, the mayor losing? The businesswoman and her abrupt leaving?
12. The competition, the other bands, the playing off, the rain, the memories of the past? Macarthur Park and success?
13. Mandy and her change of heart, Kevin in love, the rain, the father and his change of heart?
14. Kevin’s friends, Tripod and his hostility, the good friend and his support, the yes-man?
15. How well did the film reach its target audience – and older audience?
