The Boy Who Had Everything (1985)

In '60's-era Australia, a college freshman must navigate freshman hazing, a distant mother, and a shaky relationship with his girlfriend.

Director:

Stephen Wallace

Writer:

Stephen Wallace

Stars:

Jason Connery, Diane Cilento, Laura Williams

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jason Connery	...	John Kirkland
Diane Cilento	...	Mother
Laura Williams	...	Robin
Lewis Fitz-Gerald	...	Vandervelt
Ian Gilmour	...	Pollock
Nique Needles	...	Graham Cummerford
Michael Gow	...	Kaplin
Mark Wignall	...	McPhee
Monroe Reimers	...	Afferson
Tim Burns	...	The Bookmaker
Caz Lederman	...	First Prostitute
Toni Scanlan	...	Second Prostitute
David Slingsby	...	Performer in Play - Father
Patti McLaughlin	...	Performer in Play - Mother
Jo Kennedy	...	Performer in Play - Zenobie

Storyline

In '60's-era Australia, a college freshman must navigate freshman hazing, a distant mother, and a shaky relationship with his girlfriend.

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Plot Keywords:

sex lesson from a prostitute | male nudity | independent film

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

July 1985 (Soviet Union)

Also Known As:

Winner Take All

Filming Locations:

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alfred Road Films, Multi Films Investments Limited

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's lead stars Diane Cilento and Jason Connery were mother and son. The father is Sean Connery.

User Reviews

Depressing and fantastic

I can't believe this movie is so underrated - it's unique, haunting and deeply depressing but gets to grips with the social, familial and romantic expectations put on an individual. The protagonist's need to excel is tormenting and the film perfectly encapsulates a sense of mounting pressure. The characters, both the boy who (seems) to have everything and those surrounding him, are vividly sketched. John Kirkland's relationship with his eccentric but overbearing mother steals the show, although his vacuous relationship with the girl next door is thought-provoking and sad. As a postgraduate student of literature, I have read many incredible works of art, and this film is up there with some of the best examples of artistic socio-psychological interrogation.