A MAN’S GOTTA DO

Australia, 2004, 100 minutes, Colour.
John Howard, Alyssa Mc Lelland, Rebecca Frith, Gyton Grantley, Rohan Nichol, Tony Barry.
Directed by Chris Kennedy.

A Man’s Gotta Do is the story of an ordinary(?) Australian family.

It was written, produced and directed by Chris Kennedy who did the same for Glass, Doing Time for Patsy Cline (his most successful film).

John Howard is the patriarch of the family, a very ocker type, involved in fishing – and a bit of standover tactics to get money on the side. Rebecca Frith is his wife, Alyssa Mc Lelland his daughter who is about to be married. However, her fiancé does not turn up and she has to cope with the disappointment. Much of her disappointment and her attitude towards her father find a place in her diary which puzzles her father.

Her father gets an assistant, Dominic, played by Gyton Grantley. He gradually falls in love with Chantelle. The father has to learn a great deal about his daughter, his daughter has to learn about her father, her mother has to come to terms with her family.

After various ups and downs, the father begins to understand his daughter (even reading part of her diary). His wife becomes pregnant, Chantelle is also pregnant as is one of her close friends. So, at the wedding, there are three pregnant women.

The film has several amusing moments. It also uses the technique of the central characters turning to camera and explaining themselves and situations. John Howard has been a very strong screen presence for many decades in Australian films. Rebecca Frith has appeared in many films as well.

The success of the film, its humanity and sense of humour, probably depend on an audience’s mood as they watch the film. There is an amusing ending with a professional photographer – and a whole range of ruined photos that she takes.

1. An entertaining Australian film? Family drama? Comedy? The Australian tone?

2. The coastal setting, the house, the town, the sea? The views? The musical score?

3. The focus on Chantelle, her diary and confiding in it? Her attitude towards her father, her mother? About to be married? The preparations, the meeting with the fiancé – and his not turning up? Her father’s absence? Her having to cope? Meeting with Dominic, the attraction, falling in love? Her pregnancy? Her discussions with Delores? Her father reading her diary? The confrontation? The final reconciliation, discussions with her father, with her mother? With Dominic? Her views as expressed to camera? The wedding, the photos?

4. Eddie, his appearance, size, rough and ready? His accent, comments on life? Unimaginative? The issue of words and feelings? His attempting to find words for them? His relationship with his daughter, not understanding her? Money matters? Sexual matters? His not liking the fiancé? His standover tactics and explanations? Acquiring Dominic as an offsider? Their work together? His attitude towards his daughter, wanting to read her diary? The tension with his wife? The discussions with the doctor? His acceptance of Dominic, the engagement? The preparation for the marriage? Reading the diary? His comments to the camera? Audiences understanding him? Humane, humorous?

5. Yvonne, busy in the house, falling out of love with Eddie? Criticising him? Her concern for her daughter? The preparation for the wedding, the expenses? Waiting to meet Rudi? The marriage off? Dealing with her husband, change of heart? Her pregnancy?

6. Dominic, the apprentice, going out with Eddie, listening to him, learning from him? Working? Time passing, Chantelle, in love? The proposal? His wanting to do other work and to leave Eddie? His talking to camera? The wedding?

7. Paul, his attentions to Chantelle, coming on too strong? Obnoxious?

8. Delores, Chantelle’s other friends, conversations?

9. The cumulative effect of the episodes? The comic touches? Ordinary touches? Humanity – and the final humour of the photos?