Messy, naughty waste of good actors, or a good snapshot of the era?
This was one of the minor films of the 70s film revival, but it did quite at the box office, due possibly to its excellent cast, or to the screenplay by top playwright David Williamson, or to the success of Burstall's previous hit films, Stork and Alvin Purple.
Despite all of these factors, the film is a bit of a mess, part sex-romp (a la Alvin Purple) and part social commentary (a la Don's Party). While it is a chance to see Jack Thompson, Jacki Weaver and Wendy Hughes naked and taking advantage of the sexual revolution, the sex-romp parts of the film tend to undercut the film's critique of classism and snobbery in Australia.
Nevertheless, it's amiable enough and interesting as a snapshot of mid-70s Melbourne.
Despite all of these factors, the film is a bit of a mess, part sex-romp (a la Alvin Purple) and part social commentary (a la Don's Party). While it is a chance to see Jack Thompson, Jacki Weaver and Wendy Hughes naked and taking advantage of the sexual revolution, the sex-romp parts of the film tend to undercut the film's critique of classism and snobbery in Australia.
Nevertheless, it's amiable enough and interesting as a snapshot of mid-70s Melbourne.
- PeterM27
- Dec 17, 2021