HAWKE

Australia, 2010, 90 minutes, Colour.
Richard Roxburgh, Rachael Blake, Felix Williamson, Asher Keddie, Sacha Horler, Julia Blake, Terry Norris.
Directed by Emma Freeman.

Hawke is the biography, at least in his ACTU and political years, of Australian prime minister, Bob Hawke.

The film opens with the build-up to his defeat by Paul Keating in the caucus vote (by five votes) in December 1991. While the film fills in some background story of his family, his mother and father (Terry Norris and Julia Blake), his marriage to Hazel (Rachel Blake) and his children, especially the problem with his daughter Roslyn’s heroin addiction, the film’s flashbacks focus on his work in the ACTU, his advocacy (as well as his barroom loudness and larrikinism), his challenging Bill Hayden for the leadership of the Labor Party, his role as a politician, the 1983 election, the joyful aftermath (including the America’s Cup victory, his work with Paul Keating and the antagonism, his achievement.

Richard Roxburgh does not entirely imitate Bob Hawke, but catches a lot of his swagger, his accent, and his hairstyle… Rachael Blake brings dignity to the role of Hazel Hawke, especially in her knowledge of his womanising and affair with Blanche d'Alpuget (Asher Keddie) and her decision to stand by him while he was prime minister. She also shared in the problems of their daughter’s heroin addiction.

Felix Williamson is particularly good as Paul Keating, creating a character as well as relying on audience knowledge of and response to the prime minister who succeeded Hawke. The film highlights the struggles for power that have continued in both major parties in the history of Australia in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Sacha Horler has a very good role as Jean Sinclair, Hawke’s devoted secretary for many decades, who ultimately died of cancer while Hawke was in office.

The film recreates the atmosphere of the period, has interesting locations in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne. There is a range of characters who older audiences would remember, politicians, people from industry, people from the unions. Their names are mentioned but they are not dwelt on, relying on audiences who know them to identify with them and remember them – with Graham Richardson appearing as the least likeable.

The film explains in the final information what happened to Hawke himself, his divorce from Hazel, his marriage to Blanche d'Alpuget. This film is based on the biography of Hawke by Blanche d'Alpuget as well as Hawke’s own memoirs. Many of the historical characters gave interviews for the film, with Paul Keating explaining by phone why he declined.

1. Bob Hawke’s reputation, as an Australian, as a world figure, as a negotiator, as a politician, as prime minister?

2. Audience knowledge of Bob Hawke, attitudes towards him, older audiences rather than younger audiences? Response to Bob Hawke as a person, politician, patriotic Australian, larrikin, observations on his relationships, especially his marriage, his relation to Blanche d'Alpuget?

3. The authentic settings, Melbourne and the ACT, Kirribilli House? Parliament, trade unions buildings, Government House, The Lodge? The interiors, especially for parliament? The musical score?

4. The opening in 1991, Hawke at the end of his political career, the uncertainty, Keating and his challenging, the role of the factions, individuals like Kim Beazley, Graham Richardson? His supporters visiting Hawke, their advice, Hawke not believing that he could be defeated? Toppled by five votes?

5. Hawke’s back-story, the picture of his parents, his closeness to his father, his respect for him, his love for his mother, her toughness, her death, his weeping? Marrying Hazel, the tensions in their marriage? His flirting with women, relationships? The affair with Blanche d'Alpuget? His personal beliefs, religious background, lack of belief?

6. His Australian sense, wanting to be in touch with the average Australian? Larrikin attitude and behaviour? His drinking, a nasty drunk, the bar scenes? His flirting? The affair? His role in mediation, his big ideas for the future of Australia, wages, security? His academic background?

7. The decision to enter politics? Hazel and her support? Jean and her continued devotion? Talking with Bill Kelty and the unions? The confrontation with Hayden? With Ralph Willis? His election, his happiness in being a member of parliament?

8. The factions, the character of Bill Hayden, Hawke’s reaction to him, Hawke and his outbursts and language? Hayden ousted? Hawke and his ascent, the deals, Malcolm Fraser and the election, Keating in the background?

9. The character of Paul Keating, as a person, his age, his years in parliament, his self-education in economics, his plans and ambitions? His work as treasurer, his achievement? The deal with Bob Hawke, the witnessing? Waiting, his anger, Bob Hawke reneging? Whether he would stand or not, his nominating himself? Hawke’s reaction to his defeat, disbelief? Keating and the achievement?

10. Hawke and the elections, the exhilaration, Mr 75%, the America’s Cup, the strengthening of the economy, overseas standing with Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, his attacks on apartheid, the response of Nelson Mandela?

11. His giving up drinking, asking Hazel about being prime minister, his giving up Blanche d'Alpuget? The news of Roslyn’s addiction, his being distracted? His depression? The interviews, the election bucking him up?

12. The further elections, achievement, the critique, Andrew Peacock and the Liberal Party?

13. Keating and the coup, Bob Hawke reneging, not listening to advice, his phone calls for support, the caucus meeting, the votes, Hawke accepting defeat, Keating’s words to him, his speech in parliament and farewell?

14. A portrait of Bob Hawke – tailored for the television audience? The picture of Hazel Hawke? Blanche d'Alpuget?

15. The final information about Hawke, Hazel, Blanche? Hawke’s reputation and estimation with the Australian public?