Proof (1991)

The life of a blind photographer who is looked after by a housekeeper is disrupted by the arrival of an agreeable restaurant worker.

Director:

Jocelyn Moorhouse

Writer:

Jocelyn Moorhouse

Stars:

Hugo Weaving, Geneviève Picot, Russell Crowe

11 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hugo Weaving	...	Martin
Geneviève Picot	...	Celia (as Genevieve Picot)
Russell Crowe	...	Andy
Heather Mitchell	...	Mother
Jeffrey Walker	...	Young Martin
Daniel Pollock	...	Punk
Frankie J. Holden	...	Brian
Frank Gallacher	...	Vet
Saskia Post	...	Waitress
Belinda Davey	...	Doctor
Cliff Ellen	...	Cemetery Caretaker
Tania Uren	...	Customer
Robert James O'Neill	...	Hoon
Anthony Rawling	...	Hoon
Darko Tuscan	...	Hoon

Storyline

Black comedy about a blind man, Martin, who takes photographs as "proof" that the world really is as others describe it to him. The film explores his antagonistic relationships with Celia, who cleans and cooks for him and habitually rearranges the furniture in the house, and with Andy, a mate he thinks he can trust.

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Plot Keywords:

blind man | trust | photographer | black comedy | proof | 

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Taglines:

Photographs don't lie, people do.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sensuality and some language

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 March 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

La prueba

Filming Locations:

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Box Office

Gross:

$524,668 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

House & Moorhouse Films, Australian Film Commission, The, Film Victoria

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min 90 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Because his character, Andy, and Hugo Weaving's character, Martin, are supposed to be best mates, Russell Crowe set out to become good mates with Weaving by trying to share common interests. He would soon discover the only common interest they have together is that they are both huge fans of Doctor Who.

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Quotes

Martin's Mother: Why would I lie to you?
Young Martin: Because you can.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #18.30 (2010)

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Soundtracks

"Symphony No. 5 in C Minor"
(1809) (uncredited)
Written by Ludwig van Beethoven
First Movement played by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Nicholas Braithwaite

User Reviews

A Great Movie from Down Under, with better acting by Crowe than in Gladiator

This is, simply put, a great movie. I won't go into the plot too much, as many other commenters do a good job of that. But suffice to say, the trio of Russell Crowe, Hugo Weaving and Genevieve Picot do more acting in this movie than is contained in all of the blockbusters the first two have made since. (I haven't seen Picot in anything else, so can't comment on her subsequent choices.)

It is definitely a small movie. But that's not a bad thing. Most people's lives are small, and this movie is a good example of how even small events -- especially small events -- can have a huge impact on a person's life.

The essential thing about the movie is not that it's about a blind guy. It's about a guy who is incapable (at the beginning, anyway) of trust. Which is why he must have "proof" of everything around him in the form of photographs (which he, paradoxically, cannot see himself, but must have described to him). By the end of the movie, he has grown enough, or become desperate enough, to try to trust Andy, and show him the most "most important photo I've ever taken."

Genevieve Picot, as the suffering, love stricken housekeeper of Martin, is great. I wish I could see more of her work.

This movie also has some really funny moments, and yes, the funniest line is "I forgot." The second funniest is "Brian." See the movie and you will understand (and laugh your ass off too).

One final note: SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!! (Also: make sure to watch on a TV with good sound. It's important for the ending (the last moment before the credits roll).)