THE BOY WHO HAD EVERYTHING


Australia, 1983, 94 minutes, Colour.
Jason Connery, Diane Cilento, Laura Williams, Lewis Fitz- Gerald, Ian Gilmour, Nique Needles, Michael Gow.
Directed by Stephen Wallace.

This is an Australian film, set in Sydney, family and university setting. It came at the beginning of the 80s, after the renaissance of the Australian film industry and at a time when there was a proliferation of films made, some of them just to capitalise on financing.

This film is directed by Stephen Wallace who made the prison drama, Stir, the children’s fantasy, Playing Beatty Bow and the film version of plunge Blanche D’ Alpuget’s Turtle Beach.

The casting is interesting, Diane Cilento acting with a son, Jason Connery. Nique Needles won the Australian Film Institute award for Best Supporting Actor.

The film recreates the period of the 1960s, academic life, the students, their working together, extra-curricular activity, the influence of the staff.

However, the film is also a portrait of the mother and son, the mother and her place in society, the drinking, the role of the father, the expectations on the son, to be perfect and an achiever.

A film that is worth seeing in its recreation of its period but one which seems to have almost disappeared from view.

1. The impact of the film in its time? Considered underrated? Australian story, themes?

2. The work of the director, writing, directing, serious perspective on issues?

3. The Sydney locations, the city itself, the North Shore, the University, the 1960s, the period, costumes and decor? The background of Robert Menzies in power? Involvement in Vietnam in the 1960s? The musical score, the songs?

4. The credits, John and his boyhood, career, expectations of him?

5. The voice-over, the commentary, Cummerford and his relationship with John? Perspective, judgements, Comerford’s behaviour?

6. Jason Connery as John, the focus on him, his story, the title? The background of Jason Connery working with his mother, Diane Cilento? As a boy, expected to be perfect, success? Her mother, divorce, drinking, influence on her son? Love? At a distance? Sharing the bets, the rebuke? Affection? His father, drinking, the wedding? Reconciliation?

7. The character of his mother, her style, the touch of glamour, the drinking, careless behaviour, bets, anger? The treatment of her son?

8. John, going to the University, in Sydney, the atmosphere of the 60s, studies, the role of the lecturers and their influence? Subjects for study? John’s expectations?

9. The residence, the other students, their characters, attitudes towards John, criticisms, the significance of the hazing, the details, the attitudes of the students, John?

10. Cummerford, his character, behaviour, relationship with John?

11. The combination of university students, their attitudes in the 1960s, the staff?

12. The effect on John, damaging? The repercussions and consequences? With his mother, possibilities for the future, his own career?