THE DARK ROOM
Australia, 1981, 100 minutes, Colour.
Allen Cassell, Anna Jemison, Rowena Wallace.
Directed by Paul Harmon.
The Dark Room is a Sydney-based psychological drama. It has thriller overtones, but focuses on the relationship between a disturbed son and his father. Alan Cassell is good as the father, estranged from his wife, Diana Davidson, having an affair with a younger woman, Anna Jemeson. His son eavesdrops on him, makes the acquaintance of the lover, becomes infatuated with her and finally brings a confrontation between all three - with an apocalyptic house-burning ending.
The acting of the principals is good except for Sevet Kovich, who gives a very mannered performance as the son. Some of the dialogue is trite - nevertheless, it is quite an entertaining drama for popular audiences.
1. Dramatic thriller? Family relationships? Disturbed personalities?
2. The Sydney settings, the houses, flats, shops? The dark room? The holiday house? The musical score?
3. The title, Michael's photography, the literal dark room, the dark room of his own spirit?
4. Michael, his background, relationship with his mother but not communicating with her, the clashes with his father and his father's expectations? Rebelling and going to art school? The criticism of his weird friends? The implications of homosexuality? His spying on his father and Nicki? The photos? Following Nicki, getting the job at the shop? His work at the shop, his friendship with Nicki, the outings, the discussions, photographing her for her portfolio? The sexual sequence and its failure - and photography? The photos in his dark room? The clash with his father at the party, his godfather, moving out? His own flat, the dark room? The growing infatuation, the confrontation with Nicki? His father's jogging on the beach and talking with him and Michael's rejection? Taking Nicki, the holiday house, the confrontation, the truth? His drinking, exasperation? The gun to his father? The burning house and his death? A credible disturbed young man?
5. Ray, his relationship with his wife, estranged? Lying to her? The relationship with Nicki, the younger woman? The promise of marriage? The holiday house? The party and his wife's birthday, the confrontation with Michael, trying to give him good advice, critical of his friends, wanting him to go to university? The talk on the beach and Michael's rejection? Telling the truth about the affair, the estrangement from his wife, telling Michael? The phone call, the holiday house, the final confrontation? The rescuing of Nicki?
6. Nicki, actress, working in the shop? The relationship with Ray and her hopes for a future, marriage? Meeting Michael, thinking him Steven? The friendship, at work, his concern for her, the photograph portfolio? Meeting her former love and her exasperation at his chauvinism? The visit to the cemetery, getting more irritated with Steven? The failed sexual encounter? The plane flight, Michael abducting her, the discovery of his true name? The confrontation in the house, the rescue? A future with Ray or not?
7. Martha, the estranged wife, not communicating with her son? The birthday party? His leaving home? Ray's concern about his disappearance - a dismal future?
8. The student background, the shop and the personnel, actors, restaurants?
9. The motivation of the characters? Relationships, love and hate? The disturbed personality?
