The Plumber

With "The Cars that Ate Paris", "The Last Wave", and especially "Picnic at Hanging Rock", the genius Peter Weir made three of the greatest cult movies in the history of cinema. "The Plumber" plays in a different league, also because it's a made-for-television film, but it's nevertheless REALLY good as well, and it once again demonstrates what a versatile and expert director Weir is/was.

"The Plumber" is a simple but effective, and moreover very recognizable, story about a housewife becoming increasingly agitated because of a friendly but intrusive plumber who nearly breaks down the flat's entire bathroom. Whilst her workaholic husband is too preoccupied with a potential promotion to Geneva, Jill is slowly going mentally insane and feeling like a prisoner in her own house.

The climax comes abrupt, but it's brilliantly honest and confronting. Also, if there's one thing that makes "The Plumber" painfully clear, it is how people are falsely polite - hypocritical, even - and how we would do pretty much everything in order to avoid direct confrontation. Thank you very much for holding up this mirror, Mr. Weir...

Little known Australian gem that takes the old 'girl stalked by psycho' theme and gives it a fun twist with some astute social commentary. A highly intellectual, educated women suddenly finds herself being manipulated by a slovenly, low class plumber. She is an expert at primitive cultures, yet is unable to deal with her own 'civilized' culture. As he tears away at her bathroom, he also tears away at the line that seperates the classes. Playfully pokes at everything from how much control one really has on their enviroment, to how vulnerable we ALL are and how no one is really that far removed or 'above' anyone else. Also aptly displays how our social mores, customs, and status are only their as long as everyone respects them. Yet the best thing about this sleeper is how everyone, including her friends and husband, are so caught up in their own little worlds that they cannot fully fathom the extent of her fear. Bringing to light the old adage of us all having our own 'private hell'. Mono sound and a bit of a 'cop out' ending are the only detractions.

Peter Weir shows how a good film can be made from a solid script and very little money.

A student of anthropology attempts to understand aboriginal tribes, but is completely baffled by the cultural chasm that separates her post-graduate sensibilities from the working-class plumber who is sent to work on her apartment. Is he malicious or misunderstood? The script is delightfully ambiguous.

A little low-budget gem.

In Australia, anthropologist housewife and thesis writer Judy Morris (as Jill) is startled when grungy plumber Ivar Kants (as Max) arrives unannounced, for a routine check into her bathroom's plumbing. Singing as he helps himself in her shower, Mr. Kants tells Ms. Morris her pipes are bad, and need replacing. "The Plumber" becomes a menacing presence in Morris' apartment, but neither husband Robert Coleby (as Brian Cowper) nor best friend Candy Raymond (as Meg) sees any danger. They think Morris is overreacting. Is Kants a convicted rapist, or a budding Bob Dylan singing "It's Me, Babe"? Written and directed by Peter Weir as a cheap TV movie, "The Plumber" is a hilarious take-off on horror, class and culture.

******** The Plumber (6/8/79) Peter Weir ~ Ivar Kants, Judy Morris, Robert Coleby, Candy Raymond

A married graduate student takes some time off to work on her thesis and play housewife to her doctor husband while living in a University apartment complex. One day, a plumber shows up unannounced claiming he needs to do routine maintenance but ends up making a terrible mess of her bathroom. Soon, she finds the plumber is always around, a bit snoopy, and may have ulterior motives. The Plumber is pretty good, especially considering it was apparently a TV movie, but it is a bit on the dull side. As seems to be a theme with Mr. Weir, this film explores the concept of The Other within the framework of a horror-thriller. I'd argue this is even more successful to me than Wave or Paris were, perhaps because it's main focus was on two individuals. It explores both sides and the ambiguity serves the narrative instead of causing confusion.