THE HEARTBREAK KID
Australia, 1993, 95 minutes, Colour.
Claudia Karvan, Alex Dimitriades, Nico Lathouris, Steve Bastoni, Doris Younane, William Mc Innes.
Directed by Michael Jenkins.
The Heartbreak was written by director Michael Jenkins and Robert Barrett. They received the best screenplay award at the Montreal Film Festival.
Michael Jenkins began directing in television in the late 60s and worked in the 1970s with various series. His first feature film was the Matt Dillon vehicle, Rebel. He also directed a version of David Williamson’s play, Emerald City as well as the film Sweet Talker. However, he made quite an impact with his television series including The Dirtwater Dynasty, The Leaving of Liverpool, Blue Murder and Wild Side.
This film is set in the Greek community in Melbourne and highlights the pressures of the adult generation in Greek families on the younger generation, especially their protective attitudes. The strong religious background is presented, the traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church, especially about marriage.
The film focuses on school and a young student, played by Alex Dimitriades (Head On) who has a relationship with one of his teachers (Claudia Karvan). Dimitriades is a strong screen presence and Claudia Karvan had emerged at this time as one of Australia’s leading actresses on screen and on television (The Big Steal, The Nostradamus Kid, Broken Highway). The subject-matter is difficult, especially in the cases of sexual harassment and relationships that were emerging during the 1990s. This film focuses on the effect of the relationship on the student and on the teacher.
The film was popular and successful and led to Jenkins developing a television series, Heartbreak High (which initially starred Dimitriades).
1.The tone of the title? Indication of themes?
2.The Australian background, multicultural Australia? The European migrants after World War Two? The contrast with the later-comers from Asia? The mix in the suburbs of Melbourne? Homes, cultural styles, education difficulties, religious background and its influence, the issues of language at home and at school?
3.The Melbourne settings, the city itself, the suburbs? The wealthy areas, poorer areas? The school itself, the ovals? Authentic atmosphere? The musical score?
4.The comic tone of the film? The comic touches about families, school? The more serious aspects, dramatic? The combination? A credible story in credible situations?
5.Issues of marriage, communication? Saving face and propriety? Engagements? The Greek families, language, customs? Dimitri and Christina and the family attitudes? The possibility of marriage?
6.Christina, her character, at school, her work? Her background? Her efforts at control? Teaching history, the essays, her interactions with the students? Nick and his help? Her relationship with the staff? Her input at staff meetings? Soccer and the coach? Her own family? The reaction to the situation? Reaction of Nick’s father?
7.Nick, his age, soccer playing, relationship with the other students? The matches and success? In the yard? The injury? His friends? The encounter with Chris? home, his sister? The meal sequences? His relationship with his father? The soccer, the deal?
8.Dimitri and his style? The meal sequences? The counsellor? The house, the dates?
9.Nick’s parents, their reaction to the situation, inviting the priest home, the advice of the priest? Women’s place in the Greek home? Their reaction to Christina? Dimitri and Christina, the reaction? The religious implications? Evdokia and her contribution, reactions?
10.The nature of the affair? The choices on the part of each? The motel date? Their discussions? Initiative? Evdokia? The house? The end of the affair?
11.The soccer background, school? The discussions, the fight? “Honour”? Nick’s father, Dimitri? The parents?
12.Nick and his choices, the confrontation with his father? Going out, the soccer field? The hospital?
13.Christina, the impact of her choices, her leaving, her feeling free?
14.The resolution for the two-year gap, the promise? What future for them?
15.Audience response to the occasions of teacher-student relationships? Exploitation, consent, seduction? Moral and ethical issues? Professional issues for staff and management?
