Country Life (1994)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Michael Blakemore

Writer:

Michael Blakemore (writer)

Release Date:

28 July 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Adaptation of Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya" set in rural Australia in the 1920's. Jack Dickens and his niece...

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film | Based On Novel

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Sam Neill	...	Dr. Max Askey
Greta Scacchi	...	Deborah Voysey
John Hargreaves	...	Jack Dickens
Kerry Fox	...	Sally Voysey
Michael Blakemore	...	Alexander Voysey
Googie Withers	...	Hannah
Patricia Kennedy	...	Maud Dickens
Ron Blanchard	...	Wally Wells
Robyn Cruze	...	Violet
Maurie Fields	...	Fred Livingstone
Bryan Marshall	...	Mr. Pettinger
Tony Barry	...	Logger
Terry Brady	...	Logger
Tom Long	...	Billy Livingstone
Rob Steele	...	James

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sex-related scenes.

Runtime:

118 min | USA:107 min (dvd release) (IFC library print)

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 | Spain:13 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Carcoar, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC)

Trivia:

Film adaptation based on and including most of the cast of Michael Blakemore's National Theatre production of "Uncle Vanya".

Quotes:

Deborah Voysey: When shall we see you again?
Dr. Max Askey: As soon as your husband contracts his next fatal illness, I suppose.
Deborah Voysey: Then, in no time at all.

Movie Connections:

Version of Onkel Vanja (1971) (TV)

Uncle Vanya in the Outback

Michael Blakemore's "Country Life" is loosely based on Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya". Mr. Blakemore, a distinguished theater director, and actor, takes us to his native Australia, where he sets the story circa 1919.

It's a time where Aussie soldiers are returning home from WWI. We watch as Alexander Voysey, who has been living abroad, returning with his new wife, Deborah, to the estate in the country where his daughter and brother-in-law are living. Voysey is a snob who seems out of place in the house that has seen better days. His young wife Deborah, is with him because obviously she needs a meal ticket.

Uncle Jack, has stayed behind doing all the thankless jobs, helped by his niece Sally, who is Alexander's daughter. We also see the free thinking doctor Max Askey, whose ideas clash with the conservative town folks. It seems inevitable, but Deborah and the doctor develop a passion for one another that comes to nothing, while young Sally who secretly loves the older doctor, doesn't stand a chance with him.

Ultimately, the Voyseys have had it with the place and when Alexander's plans to sell the estate to neighbors fail because Jack's protests and animosity toward his brother-in-law, who by now, we realize is a fake, decide to go west in search of greener pastures.

"Country Life" is a film where we draw parallels between its Russian model and the Aussie setting. All the elements of Chekhov are there beautifully staged and directed by Michael Blakemore. The distinguished cast acts well as an ensemble under Mr. Blakemore's direction. Googie Withers makes a good contribution as the crusty cook Hannah, who knows all the secrets of the family.

This is a different "Uncle Vanya", but worth a visit because of the excellent work of Mr. Blakemore.