JUCY

Australia, 2011, 90 minutes, Colour.
Cindy Nelson, Francesca Gasteen.
Directed by Louise Alston.

A Brisbane comedy which will resonate there – and, hopefully, all round Australia.

The title? A combination of the names of the two leads, Jackie and Lucy. This film owes a great deal to the combination of talent seen with, say, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. Jackie (Cindy Nelson) is the larger than life comedian. Lucy (Francesca Gasteen) is the slighter but more sardonic comedian. They are both 20-somethings who have not entirely grown up.

They have done everything together for years – a kind of co-dependence and friends wonder about their ‘womance’, the female version of ‘bromance’. They work in a video store for customers with ‘alternative’ interests and tastes and give their advice to the eccentrics who are looking for their favourite or new ‘genre movies’. They socialise but turn events into messes for themselves and others. It is the same with relationships.

When they branch out, especially with a local production of Jane Eyre, where an oddball company have rehearsals (with Jackie and Lucy vying for parts and attention, especially for the role of Jane rather than the mad wife), where they tangle with the director and the leading man, where there are complications with the printing and distribution of the posters. Jealousy rears quite an ugly head.

So Jackie and Lucy have to experience alienation before they can accept themselves and each other – which, of course, they do.

The film was co-written and directed by Louise Alston who made another local comedy, All My Friends are Leaving Brisbane (2007).

Jucy’s initial release outside Brisbane is in local country areas rather than in the capital cities. (Parochial distribution? Or apprehension about interstate rivalries and criticisms?)

1. Local film? The Brisbane audiences? Australians? Wider?

2. Brisbane settings, landmarks, ordinary life, homes, store, theatre? Musical score?

3. A buddy movie – of two women? The title and the combination of their names? A “womance”?

4. The characters of Jackie and Lucy, the growing up together, their friendship, the influence of their early life?

5. Jackie, age, insecurity, anxiety, awkward in society, difficulty with relationships?

6. Comparisons with Lucy, her age, insecurities, not finishing her two degrees, living at home with her mother?

7. The two, the nature of their friendship, working together, at work, the video store, alternative, their interaction with the range of clients – and their eccentricities?

8. The two women on their response to observations, to criticisms?

9. The production of Jane Eyre, both being involved? Both wanting the central part?

10. Rehearsals, their interactions with people, the leading man and the attraction? Jackie and the actor? Lucy the possibilities for a career?

11. The testing of their friendship, whether they will have to break, whether they will have to go out on their own…?