The Efficiency Expert (1992)
"Spotswood" (original title)

An expert on productivity shows wacky workers in 1966 Australia how to run their moccasin factory like clockwork, despite laying off more than half the workforce.

Director:

Mark Joffe

Writers:

Max Dann, Andrew Knight

Stars:

Anthony Hopkins, Ben Mendelsohn, Alwyn Kurts

3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anthony Hopkins	...	Errol Wallace
Ben Mendelsohn	...	Carey
Alwyn Kurts	...	Mr. Ball
Bruno Lawrence	...	Robert, Carey's Father
John Walton	...	Jerry Finn
Rebecca Rigg	...	Cheryl Ball
Toni Collette	...	Wendy Robinson
Russell Crowe	...	Kim Barry
Angela Punch McGregor	...	Caroline Wallace
Dan Wyllie	...	Frank Fletcher
John Flaus	...	Gordon
Gary Adams	...	Kevin
Jeff Truman	...	Ron
Toni Lamond	...	Mrs. Lorna Ball
Jillian Murray	...	Ophelia, Carey's Mom (as Jillian Murray)

Storyline

Wallace is an efficiency expert, managing the high-profile downsizing of a major auto parts factory. But when he is hired to evaluate a small moccasin factory which seems from another era, Wallace has to reconsider the rapid modernization he advocates, as he is confronted by the human faces such plans hurt.

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Plot Keywords:

factory | moccasin | efficiency expert | downsizing | efficiency | 

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Taglines:

He entered their factory as the enemy. He left as their hero.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language and brief mild violence

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 November 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Efficiency Expert

Filming Locations:

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Box Office

Gross:

$101,307 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Film Commission, The, Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC), Film Victoria

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When the Anthony Hopkins character shows his wife the trophy he won at the slot car race, you can clearly see the tape on the rug that marks her spot in the shot.

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Quotes

[Carey's little brother sees him writing a poem.]
Carey's Brother: Hee-hee-hee. Who's Cheryl?
Carey: No one you'd know. A model.
Carey's Brother: "I wake up with the sun, bright and new. I listen to the sun, and the early morning dew." Dew doesn't make any noise.
Carey: What? Look, it's my poem, I can write what I like.
Carey's Brother: Just trying to help. If I was you I'd stick to drawing.

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Crazy Credits

The 1960s in Australia were a period of great upheaval, followed by downheaval and, eventually, heaval. Presiding over this indecision were great experts such as Errol Wallace and Jerry Finn. They were efficiency consultants.

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Connections

References Thunder Alley (1967)

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Soundtracks

"The Loved One"
Written by B Lovett / Clyne / Humphreys
Performed by The Loved Ones

User Reviews

"There may be a chance for you yet, Errol Wallace" - Caroline Wallace

Errol Wallace's wife, Caroline, perfectly played by Angela Punch McGregor, delivers that turning point line and sums up the plot. Bottom line focused efficiency expert finally sees the people whose lives his career of recommendations affect and unwittingly saves his own marriage in the process.

Some might say "slow and plodding", but then they'd be missing the point. Layers of character development compactly delivered in 90-some minutes contradict that sentiment. No one does it better than Sir Anthony. Reminiscent of Merchant and Ivory's "Howard's End" but set in 1969 in Victoria Australia's working district of Spotswood a few kilometers from Melbourne, Hopkins again makes his measured character riveting more by acting than by dialog. For instance the look on his face is priceless while not being overplayed when, after asking Caroline to get him an "axe handle or something heavier", fearing a second labor retaliation on their home, she brings him a flimsy lady's umbrella.

To paraphrase another reviewer, "Quite a little gem."