THE CUP
Australia, 2011, 106 minutes. Colour.
Stephen Curry, Brendan Gleeson, Daniel Mac Pherson, Alice Parkinson, Kate Bell, Tom Burlinson, Bill Hunter, Rodger Corser, Shaun Micallef, Jodi Gordon, Lewis Fitz Gerald, Alan Hopgood, Andrew Curry, Martin Sacks.
Directed by Simon Wincer.
Plenty of cups around the world but, for Australians and for international racing, the cup is the Melbourne Cup when the nation allegedly stops to watch or listen to the race (as we see them do in the film).
Films about racehorses have always been popular. The first film shot in Australia was the Melbourne Cup in 1896. Australian film makers have made Archer and Phar Lap. In fact, director Simon Wincer made Phar Lap almost thirty years ago and returns with The Cup. He knows how to craft popular, even old-fashioned, films for the wider audience (which has occasioned some surprisingly negative reviews for The Cup from some critics).
If you want to sit back, look at the racing industry and some races, see the story of Australian champion jockey, Damian Oliver, the sadness in his family life as well as his triumphs, then enjoy The Cup even as you become more than a little tearful at the tragedy and then, with excitement and sympathy, at the running of the 2002 Melbourne Cup and the achievement of Damian Oliver and the Irish horse, Media Puzzle.
Stephen Curry looks and acts the part of Oliver and makes him a sympathetic ordinary bloke with a talent for riding racehorses. Damian Mac Pherson is his brother, Jason, also a rider. Their grandfather had been a jockey as had their father who died in a sad accident. Accidents dogged the sons as well. Singer Colleen Hewitt appears as their mother.
The Irish connection in the film is well served by having Brendan Gleeson as trainer, Dermot Weld, stroppy, demanding, shrewd and, ultimately, sympathetic. It is interesting to see Tom Burlinson back on screen – he was the champion’s trainer in Phar Lap – as the assistant trainer to Dermot Weld. A host of Australian character actors appear like Lewis Fitz Gerald, Martin Sacks, Shaun Micaleff and Bill Hunter in his final role, playing Bart Cummings. Added to that are quite a number of cameos from commentators like Eddie Mc Guire, Denis Cometi as well as a studio session with the Coodabeen Champions. It definitely is a Melbourne film.
While the nationalism and the national spirit are strong, we are reminded that just before that Melbourne Cup in 2002 and the Oliver family tragedy, there was the Bali bombing and death toll, which gives quite some edge to the national spirit.
Thos who know what happened in fact will enjoy seeing it played out. Those who do not know won’t be surprised at the final outcome. But, the important focus of the film is on Damian Oliver’s response to his brother’s accident and the soul- searching as to whether he should ride Media Puzzle. Media Puzzle was a puzzling horse and quite unpredictable and not the favourite except in sentiment.
The kind of film that gives pleasure to a wide audience that enjoys a local story like this.
1. An Australian story? The Australian spirit?
2. The Melbourne Cup, reputation, history, international appeal? Stopping the nation – as illustrated through the varieties of Australian society, the bets, the following of the race?
3. Melbourne, the city, the racetracks, the aerial views, the feel? Western Australia and Belmont Park? Ireland, homes, stables, the racetrack? Dubai? The stirring score?
4. A true story, audience knowledge of the events, lacking knowledge – how much did it matter?
5. 2002, the beginning of the 21st century, the races in Melbourne, in Ireland, horse breeding in Dubai? International sport? Transporting of horses internationally? The owners, trainers, the staff, the jockeys? The appeal to integrity? After September the 11th? October 2002 and the Bali killings, the visuals, the news on television, the impact on Australians?
6. Damien Oliver and his story, his career, personality, his grandfather’s career, his father’s career and his father’s death, his bond with his brother? His bond with his mother? Trish and their being at ease together? Beginning his jockey career at sixteen, the range of success, his marriage, bonds with his family? His riding, his friendship with Lee? The opening awards ceremony? His decision to ride for Dermot Weld? The football match, with his brother, the disaster with Jason crushed by the horse, his effort to make a decision whether to ride in the Melbourne Cup or not? His coming to a decision, the help of Lee, the support of Trish? The seven losses? In the Cup, his brother’s clothes, the achievement? The cost to him? The film showing actual Damien Oliver and the end of the Melbourne Cup?
7. The portrait of the Oliver family, the mother and her looking at the photos, her sadness with the death of her husband? The award? The story of his grandfather, of his father? The black and white memories in his mother’s mind? Jason, his fall, in hospital, the family visits, the scene with their mother in prayer in the church, Jenny and her arrival, sadness, the agent supporting her? The decision to turn off the life support system? The press and the announcement?
8. Trish, her character, support, her talking about Jason’s death, supporting Damien in riding again, not pressurising him, her fears – her final joy?
9. Jason, his personality, riding, at the football, his phone advice for Damien for the race, the portrait of his wife?
10. The portrait of Mrs Oliver, her past, her love for her sons, her grief, prayer, watching the race? Her joy at Damien’s achievement?
11. Dermot Weld, his wins, his personality, working with Sir Michael, with Dave Phillips? The riders for his horses, his demands, the horses wanting a routine, not breaking the routine? His interest in his main horse, Vinnie Ro? His interest in Media Puzzle? Ideas for the races, the discussions with Sir Michael, the phone call for Geelong, Damien not obeying his orders, the discussion with Dave? Sending the two horses to Australia? His arrival, meeting the press, Damien and the sadness of Jason’s death, the trainer from Dubai, their discussions, the vigil on the night before the race? Dave, the orders, watching the race, joy? His achievement?
12. Dave Phillips, working for Dermot, his interest in Media Puzzle, helping the girl and alternating her ride, coming to Australia, meeting up with Damien, the race in Geelong, the phone call to Dermot, not following his orders? Happy with the achievement? The other members of the staff, looking after the horses, the stable hand and meeting his brother in Australia? The story of the death of Veronica, the race dedicated to her?
13. The background of people, the crowds at the races, those placing the bets, the officials, the jockeys’ room, the rules?
14. Lee, his friendship, as an owner, talking with Damien, helping him at the end, with the riding? Satisfied with his achievement? The rivalry with Dermot Weld?
15. The commentators, the media at the airport, the scene with the Coodabeen Champions? The racing sequences? The race itself?
16. Jason Mc Cartney, his playing for North Melbourne, the Olivers and their support of West Coast Eagles? The match, his achievement? Bali, his rescuing people from the fire, his burns? Damien visiting him in hospital? His admiration? His support for Damien’s ride?
17. The references to the racing tradition, Phar Lap and the Australian tradition, Seabiscuit and Secretariat in the American tradition?
18. An appealing film for Australian audiences, support of the Australian spirit?
