This is one of very few films which looked at Australian Aboriginal issues in the 80s, and it gives an effective and affecting portrait of Aboriginal struggle and resilience in 80s Australia.
The film is very naturalistic, and Stuart, played by David Kennedy, is a quiet achiever, who persists despite the overwhelming odds stacked against him, and the racism, both overt and covert, he faces with the legal system, employment, housing and social situations.
Jamie Agius is also very good as the young boy Tommy, who at first resists the idea that he has an 'abo' father, but eventually comes around.
Though it's not as well known as Bruce Beresford's The Fringe Dwellers, which also came out in 1986, it goes much deeper into contemporary Australian race relations than that film.
Of the other actors, Susan Leith plays Alison, the ex-wife who married an Aboriginal man but tired of the struggle, Ray Meagher plays Alison's racist father who is determined that Tommy should be kept away from his Aboriginal roots, and Mark Little plays Curly, Stuart's cheery white mate.
It's a well-rounded story, written by Aboriginal playwright Bob Merritt.
The film is very naturalistic, and Stuart, played by David Kennedy, is a quiet achiever, who persists despite the overwhelming odds stacked against him, and the racism, both overt and covert, he faces with the legal system, employment, housing and social situations.
Jamie Agius is also very good as the young boy Tommy, who at first resists the idea that he has an 'abo' father, but eventually comes around.
Though it's not as well known as Bruce Beresford's The Fringe Dwellers, which also came out in 1986, it goes much deeper into contemporary Australian race relations than that film.
Of the other actors, Susan Leith plays Alison, the ex-wife who married an Aboriginal man but tired of the struggle, Ray Meagher plays Alison's racist father who is determined that Tommy should be kept away from his Aboriginal roots, and Mark Little plays Curly, Stuart's cheery white mate.
It's a well-rounded story, written by Aboriginal playwright Bob Merritt.
