THE PRETEND ONE
Australia, 2017, 86 minutes, Colour.
Geraldine Hakewell, Michael Whalley, David Field, Benedict Wall, Alice Roberts, Elijah Perris, Fiona Press.
Directed by Tony Prescott.
This is an Australian story of an imaginary friend. It is set in the Australian cotton fields, giving an experience of rural life.
Initially, we see little girl, Charlie, Alice Roberts, developing a friendship and interaction with her imaginary friend, Hugo, Elijah Perris. Her father, played by David Field, is not sympathetic to the imaginary friend.
As an adult, Charlie, Geraldine Hakewell, seems to be coping but, in fact, is still communicating with Hugo, Michael Whalley. They have strong interactions, her receiving guidance from him. However, when she encounters another man, Guy, and is attracted by him, she moves into conflict with Hugo. Guy grew up in the area and had a crush on Charlie, is now working for television, looking for interviewees for a pilot program, and interviews Charlie’s father.
The film builds up to its dramatic climax with some violence – and Charlie and her decisions for the future.
1. The title? The child pretend friend? The adult? The effect on Charlie, child, adult?
2. The country setting, the cotton fields, the open roads, the homes, pubs? The musical score?
3. Charlie’s story? Her parents, the death of her mother, her father not telling her the details, his grief? Her missing her mother? Hugo arriving? Hugo playing with Charlie? Her father aware of Hugo? His sending her to the psychologist after his outburst in the car? The work of the psychologist, that Hugo was pretend? Charlie still having the friend in adult life?
4. The father, his hard work, the cotton fields, the harvesting of the cotton? Charlie and her work? His loneliness? The memory of his wife? Guy and his arrival, not wanting the television show, and tricks and questions? Upset Charlie and Hugo? The bedroom and his look? His letting Charlie go to the city? Her phone call and telling him about the show? Seeing the note from Hugo?
5. Hugo, his personality, pretend friend, child, adult, waking Charlie up in the morning, going to work with her, their continued conversations? Best friends? Telling the joke in the pub, guys arrival? Upset with guy? Helping Charlie go to the dinner? His not being allowed to come, are sitting watching the TV with dad? The greater intimacy? Love? The effect on Charlie? Whether to go to the city and work? Not? The accident? Hugo’s care? Eventually letting her go, the farewell, the note? Her absence meaning his disappearance?
6. Guy, growing up in the area, the television job, wanting to make the pilot, the discussion with dad, with Charlie, Hugo listening? Inviting Charlie to the dinner, doing the work, the selection of interviewees? The accident? Guy and his past love for Charlie as a child? The invitation for her to come away from the farm?
7. The story about isolation in Australia, family suffering, pretend friends? Growing up with a friend and the consequences? The cotton growing industry? Modern media, television?
