THIS LITTLE LOVE OF MINE
Australia, 2020, 90 minutes, Colour.
Saskia Hampele, Liam McIntyre, Lynn Gilmartin, Craig Horner, Monette Lee, Tiriel Mora, Lawrence Ola, Martin Portus, Rajan Velu.
Directed by Christine Luby.
A light and easy romantic comedy.
In fact, a very nice comedy, a touch of rivalry between the sexes, more than a dip into the world of big business and finance, and the promise that despite difficulties, there can be happy resolutions.
The film was made in far North Queensland at Palm Cove, the sea, the beach, boats, scuba diving, fishing, resort hotels, banquets… Which means then that the film could serve as promotion of those Queensland reef islands, reminding audiences watching the film of happy times there and the possibility of going back, or an enticement to the audiences that this is somewhere they should certainly visit!
While the film has an appeal for Australian audiences, it is made with a wider appeal, especially to the Americans. The central character, Laura (Saskia Hampele) grew up on Sapphire Cove but went to America, law degree, workaholic, promise of a partnership in an important firm. By contrast, the other central character, Chip (Liam McIntyre), talented and a builder of contemporary homes, lives the easy life where he grew up, a captain in a boat, tours, no ambitions to move beyond.
But, the central tension is that he could inherit a vast empire from his grandfather if he signed the contract. Laura comes out to persuade him to sign. Actually, both are fairly straightforward in their approaches, even a deal that she will accompany Chip on some relaxing activities and he will read a page of the contract per time!
In fact, we know where it is all going so it is practically predictable (which some condemn but, as with so many popular entertainments, we want the outcome to be what has been predictable!).
There is a touch of the American about the dialogue and trainings in the accents. The director, Christine Luby, was born in the United States, worked in London, migrated to Australia where she has worked in the film industry. So, Laura is bit of a parallel with Christine. And the writer, Georgia Harrison, has delved into this plot device before in Rip Tide, Americans coming to Queensland and finding fulfilment.
The central characters, including friend Gem (Lynn Gilmartin), all have the kind of familiar face we see on television, especially in television series, Liam McIntyre having an Aaron Eckhart resemblance, Gem a variation on Amy Adams…
And, it could play very well date movie or, pleasantly, at morning matinees in suburbia or country towns, audiences enjoying the light entertainment and refreshments, an engaging outing – and nothing at all in dialogue or situations the least unseemly.
- The title? Australian romantic comedy?
- The San Francisco business settings, offices, apartments? The contrast with location photography in Palm Cove, North Queensland? The coast, the beaches, the the forests, the town, restaurant…? The musical score?
- The world of business and its pressures? Ambitions? Workaholics? The contrast with the easy life in Queensland, the boat, the restaurant, the atmosphere?
- Laura, growing up in Sapphire Cove, leaving, the past friendship with Chip? Law degree, business ambitions, partnership, the discussions with Fiona? Graham, his visit, wanting Chip to sign the contract? Her aims, return to Sapphire Cove, the meeting with Jim, renewed friendships? Direct, discovering Chip is the captain of the boat, his recognising her? Trying to persuade him to sign, the deal with relaxation, the shared experiences of scuba diving, fishing, hiking? The buried box, the lucky charm, her retrieving it and wearing it? Chip and his reading a page per time? The pressure from San Francisco, phone calls from Fiona? The engagement, the phone calls, his arriving, the proposal, the frank discussion, breaking off?
- Chip, easy-going, his charity work and buildings, refusal to sign the contract, re-discovering Laura, the friendship with Gem, the discussions, the deal for relaxation and his reading a page, tearing the page, repairing it? Laura encouraging his work, the headquarters to be on the island? His grandfather, the visit, the discussions, his change of heart, signing? His reaction to Owen’s visit, the plant marriage? Digging up the box,?
- Laura, the partnership, the pressures from Fiona, the hoops, the taxi, returning to Chip, her lucky charm, the future?
- The picture of the business world, pressures, Fiona and her support, demands? Owen, preoccupied, business? His visit, the breakup?
- On the island, Gem, preoccupation with promotion, her boss, demands, preparation for the birthday party, timing, success, promotion? Karavi, friendship, the music, support?
- A pleasant film from wide audience – and nothing unseemly?
