SHADOW OF THE PEACOCK

US, 1987, 92 minutes, Colour.
Wendy Hughes, John Lone, Steve Jacobs, Peta Toppano, Gillian Jones, Claudia Karvan, Rebecca Smart.
Directed by Phillip Noyce.

Shadow of the Peacock, originally Promises to Keen, shows Australian interest in Asia in the '80s. it is a 'woman's picture'. It focuses on Wendy Hughes as the wife of a politician, living in Sydney and not realising the implications of his career and his affairs. On finding out about his relationships, she is amazed and upset. She accepts an invitation to holiday in Thailand and leaves her husband and children. once there, she finds it difficult to return. She also falls in love with a Balinese dancer who has lost his creative flair for dancing. The film ends with a re-affirmation of conventional values.

Wendy Hughes was nominated for an AFI award as Best Actress for her role. John Lone (Iceman, Year of the Dragon, The Last Emperor) is the romantic hero. There is a good supporting cast as well as touches of satire on the Australian scene and some travelogue material in Thailand.

The film material is familiar, quite nicely done - but not outstanding. Direction is by Philip Noyce (Backroads, Newsfront, Heatwave).

1. A popular romance? Portrait of a woman? Relationships and family?

2. The atmosphere of Sydney? The contrast with Thailand? Comparisons and contrasts? The musical score? Asian themes? Music for Asian dancing?

3. The atmosphere of Asia, neighbours to Australia, sense of mystery, refuge, beauty, religion, the people? The stories and romantic tales told by Australians of the.,’ experience in Asia?

4. The significance of the title? The original title 'Promises to Keep'?

5. The portrait of Maria: Wendy Hughes' presence and style, pensive during the credits, her father and his illness, the news and grief at her father's death, making him the cake: her relationship with her children, playing with them, being at home with them? Watching her husband on television? Her husband and his work? Meeting at the airport, his being with the other woman? The portrait of a typical wife?

6. Maria's reaction to her husband's affair: his coming off the plane, the dinner plans and her going, her discovering the truth and seeing his relationship, her being sick in the bathroom, talking with Judy? The truth and its effect on her? Her alienation from her husband? The suggestion she go to Thailand? Her sudden decision to go? Arranging for the care of the children? Her reaction to her husband and his truing to make a reconciliation? At the airport and farewells?

7. Maria and the crisis, going to Thailand, Judith’s friend and his hospitality, the tourism on the island and the beauty of the beaches? Her watching Raka dance and fascinated by him, the beauty of the dance? her accommodation? Her enjoying her stay? Encountering Raka, his advances? Succumbing to an affair - the strength of her motivation? Her taking the part-time job and deciding to stay? Phoning her husband? Wanting to sort herself out? The encounter with Miti and the talk, about Raka, about Thailand? The effect of staying, the serenity, the affair? Her husband's arrival, their clash? The truth about what she had done? Asking for more time? The outing to the disco and her seeing Raka and his self-preoccupation? The separation from Raka? her decision to return? her coming home? Love, anger at her husband, the catalyst for Raka and his dancing? A credible portrait of a woman?

8. The ending and the emphasis on traditional family values?

9. Raka and the immediate impression with his dancing, from Bali, the beauty of the dance, his story, Paris, alienated, not being able to be creative? In Thailand, his friendship with the owner, the restaurant, the guests? The relationship with Maria? His advances to Maria, shared experiences, sexuality? Changing? Seeing Maria's husband? The disco and his petulance? His ability to dance again and leaving for home? Maria's effect on him?

10. Maria's husband and his work, parliament, politics, the affair, the flirting, coming home, his lies to Maria, her leaving, his looking after the children, the phone calls, going to Thailand, rationalising? The effect-on him of Maria's absence, being better with the children? The ending?

11. The children, at play at home with their mother, separated from their mother, welcoming her home?

12. The Australian beachcomber in Thailand, tourism, accommodation, his conversion to Buddhism? The importance of the Buddhist ceremonies, the procession, Maria feeling faint, Raka and his philosophy of God and religion?

13. Miti and her friendship with Raka, the French background, parallel to Maria-Ind? the possibility for Maria of a future in Thailand?

14. The Asian exotic contrast with Australia? Atmosphere, the tropics, beauty, isolation. different way of life, religious rituals, shrines and prayer?

15. A satisfying human romantic drama?