COUNTRY LIFE
Australia, 1994, 117 minutes, Colour.
Sam Neill, Greta Scacchi, Michael Blakemore, John Hargreaves, Googie Withers, Kerry Fox.
Directed by Michael Blakemore.
Country Life is an Australian version of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya. It was adapted for the screen by the writer-director, expatriate Michael Blakemore (Personal History of the Australian Surf, Privates on Parade). He has kept the basic plot, the Russian issues and seen the parallels in the Australian countryside of the post-First World War period.
The film re-creates its atmosphere beautifully. However, the performances are mixed, sometimes seeming to be in different films.
John Hargreaves gives a somewhat overwrought performance as Jack, the equivalent of Vanya. Sam Neill is effective as the doctor, Greta Scacchi as Blakemore's younger and reserved wife. Blakemore himself gives a very good performance as the over-inflated theatre reviewer. The supporting cast includes Kerry Fox, Patricia Kennedy, Googie Withers as the housekeeper, Maurie Fields as a workman on the farm.
It is interesting to make comparisons with the play itself - and with the almost contemporary film of a rehearsal performance of Uncle Vanya in New York City, Vanya on 42nd Street, the Andre Gregory version directed by Louis Malle.
Some reviewers felt that the film was a throwback to the costume melodramas of the past, so popular in the '70s. Others, however, saw it as a comedy of manners, critical of Australian society and its traditions.
1.The popularity of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya? Various stage and film versions? The adaptation to the Australian countryside and period? The indication that the characters and the themes are universal?
2.The quality of the correlations and parallels? In situations, characters, interactions? Issues? Russia at the turn of the century and Australian society soon after?
3.The use of the New South Wales countryside and locations? The town, the countryside, the homestead, the property? Costumes and decor? The musical score and its atmosphere?
4.The strength of the cast?
5.Alexander and Deborah, their background in England, his age and experience, being away from Australia? The preparation for coming back, his reputation, style and manner? The 22 years in London? His role as a critic, writer? His snobbery? His meeting Deborah, the proposal and marriage? The love between the two? The family looking forward to their arrival? The arrival itself, the train, the carriage, home? Alexander and his reactions? His fussiness, hypochondria and pills, against music and noise, his controlling the family? The British comparisons? His reaction to each of the members of the family, especially Jack? The reaction to the doctor, jealousy? His sexual appetite - and his attraction towards violet, harassing her? The various crises, the petty domestic crises, for example the time for dinner, the ownership of the farm, financial support? His decision to leave with Deborah? Transforming the people in the family? Unchanged himself?
6.Deborah, her age, attractiveness? Love for her husband, support? Her British background? The reaction to the Australian countryside, way of life? The differing customs? The reaction of each of the central characters to her and her presence in the household? Jack and his infatuation with her? Max and the attraction, the relationship, sexual attraction and encounters? The effect on her? Her choices? Her opting to propose to Max for Sally? The decision to go away at the end?
7.Jack, age and experience, staying at home, in charge of the property? The history of Jack and Alexander? His staying and working, cultural ambitions, response to Alexander, being put off, discovering the truth, seeing his manuscripts, his disillusionment? His having to cope with Alexander? The bond with Sally and her being at the home all the time? His discovery of the truth about Alexander and his anger? Saving Deborah? The shooting? His feeling suicidal? The end and his settling down to a life of the same routines?
8.Max, charm and style, drinking? At work, practical, his travels? Sally's infatuation and his not seeing her love? The interactions with Alexander, prescribing for him? The pettiness? The interest in Deborah, the walk with her, sexual attraction? Interrupted? Sally and her devotion and his not realising it? The sequence downstairs and the changing of his clothes, Deborah seeing him, the encounter - but her being called away? His assumption that Hannah made the sandwiches - and not realising Sally's devotion? His leaving?
9.Sally and her place in the home, at the homestead? Imagining Alexander - and then the reality? Devotion to Max? Being at home, the rooms, discussions with Deborah? The initial antagonism, their talking, Deborah helping, the proposal? Her final resignation?
10.Maud as the matriarch in the household? The British traditions and manners? Dress, style? Presiding over the household?
11.Hannah, the jaunty maid and cook, her carry-on, especially with Violet and Alex?
12.Wally and his boarding, his place, a nice person, Alexander and his criticism?
13.The glimpse of Fred, singing, drunk?
14.The Australian way of life, the British links in the past? Production on the property? The cultural and emotional cringe?
15.Australia and the future - especially Max's speech, the issues and the reaction of the differing personalities?
