The Sum of Us (1994)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Directors:

Geoff Burton
Kevin Dowling

Writers:

David Stevens (play)
David Stevens (screenplay)

Release Date:

8 March 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Dad's looking for Mr. Right, his son's looking for Mr. Right. [Australia Theatrical]

Plot:

A widowed father has to deal with two complex issues: while he is searching for "Miss Right," his son, who is in his 20s and gay, is searching for "Mr. Right."

Plot Keywords:

Gay Son | Homosexual | Undressing Scene | Stroke | Lesbian Mother

Awards:

6 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Jack Thompson	...	Harry Mitchell
Russell Crowe	...	Jeff Mitchell
John Polson	...	Greg
Deborah Kennedy	...	Joyce Johnson
Joss Moroney	...	Young Jeff
Mitch Mathews	...	Gran
Julie Herbert	...	Mary
Des James	...	Football Coach
Mick Campbell	...	Footballer
Donny Muntz	...	Ferry Captain
Jan Adele	...	Barmaid
Rebekah Elmaloglou	...	Jenny Johnson
Lola Nixon	...	Desiree
Sally Cahill	...	Greg's Mother
Bob Baines	...	Greg's Father
Paul Freeman	...	George
Walter Kennard	...	Barman
Stuart Campbell	...	Leather Man
Graham Drake	...	Leather Man
Elaine Lee	...	Woman on Train
Ross Anderson	...	Gardener
Michael Burgess	...	Foreman
John Rhall	...	Dad's Brother
Helen Williams	...	Brother's Wife
Jan Merriman	...	Nurse

Directed by
Geoff Burton
Kevin Dowling

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
David Stevens		play
David Stevens		screenplay

Produced by
Rod Allan	....	line producer
Kevin Dowling	....	co-executive producer
Hal Kessler	....	co-executive producer
Hal McElroy	....	executive producer
Donald Scatena	....	co-executive producer
Errol Sullivan	....	executive producer

Original Music by
David Faulkner

Cinematography by
Geoff Burton

Film Editing by
Frans Vandenburg

Casting by
Faith Martin

Production Design by
Graham 'Grace' Walker

Art Direction by
Ian Gracie

Set Decoration by
Kerrie Brown

Costume Design by
Louise Spargo

Makeup Department
Lesley Rouvray	....	makeup supervisor
Adele Wilcox	....	assistant makeup artist

Production Management
Anne Bruning	....	production manager
Dennis Hulm	....	assistant unit production manager
Will Matthews	....	unit production manager
Laurie Pettinari	....	assistant unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Guy Campbell	....	third assistant director
Carolynne Cunningham	....	first assistant director
Henry Osborne	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Tom Churchill-Brown	....	stand-by props
Geoff Howe	....	construction manager
Faith Robinson	....	set dresser
Jonathon Tidball	....	art department assistant
Faith Robinson	....	props buyer (uncredited)

Sound Department
Ross Brewer	....	dialogue editor
Ross Brewer	....	foley editor
Helen Brown	....	sound effects editor
Craig Butters	....	foley editor
Craig Butters	....	sound assistant
John Dennison	....	foley editor
John Dennison	....	sound mixer
Mary Dennison	....	sound assistant
Sue Kerr	....	boom operator
John Patterson	....	sound effects editor
John Patterson	....	supervising sound editor
Leo Sullivan	....	sound recordist
Tony Vaccher	....	dialogue editor
Tony Vaccher	....	sound mixer

Camera and Electrical Department
Grant Atkinson	....	electrician
Robbie Burr	....	best boy electric
Leilani Hannah	....	focus puller
David Hansen	....	grip
Josie Keys	....	clapper loader
Kathryn Milliss	....	camera operator
Jonny Pasvolsky	....	camera attachment (as Jonathon Pasvolsky)
Ian Plummer	....	gaffer
Jimmy Pozarik	....	still photographer
Simon Quaife	....	key grip

Casting Department
Sarah Kants	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Lyn Askew	....	wardrobe coordinator
Gabrielle Dunn	....	stand-by wardrobe
Kelly May	....	wardrobe assistant

Editorial Department
Arthur Cambridge	....	color timer
Lindi Harrison	....	assistant film editor
Brian Jamieson	....	negative cutter
Jane Maguire	....	additional assistant film editor
Karen Psaltis	....	negative cutter
Shawn Seet	....	associate film editor
Danielle Wiessner	....	additional assistant film editor

Music Department
Jim Bonnefond	....	music engineer
Jim Bonnefond	....	music mixer
Charles Fisher	....	music engineer
Charles Fisher	....	music mixer
Charles Fisher	....	music producer
John Hopkins	....	music supervisor

Other crew
Simon Cox	....	production runner
Glenn Folpp	....	stand-in
Grayden Le Breton	....	unit assistant
Andrew Marshall	....	unit assistant
Carol Prugh	....	assistant: Mr. Dowling
John Rhall	....	stand-in
Julie Sims	....	production coordinator
Bronwen Stokes	....	assistant: Mr. McElroy
Jo Weeks	....	continuity

Production Companies

• Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC)
• Great Sum Film Limited Partnership
• Samuel Goldwyn Company, The
• Southern Star Entertainment Pty. Ltd.

Distributors

• Southern Star Entertainment Pty. Ltd. (2006) (worldwide) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1995) (Australia) (theatrical)
• CIC Video Australia (1995) (Australia) (video)
• Cannes Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• Civite Films (Spain)
• Divisa Home Video (2004-2009) (Spain) (DVD)
• Evergreen Entertainment (USA) (VHS)
• Hallmark Home Entertainment
• Samuel Goldwyn Company, The (1995) (USA)
• Southern Star Entertainment Pty. Ltd. (2006) (worldwide) (TV)
• Southern Star Entertainment Pty. Ltd. (2006) (worldwide) (video)

Other Companies

• Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC)  funding
• Spectrum Films International  post-production facilities

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language and some sexuality.

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:15 | Australia:M | Spain:13 | USA:R | Germany:12 | Canada:PG (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Botanical Gardens, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC)

Quotes:

Football Coach: Stick you're frigging shoulder in his ass!
Footballer: Watch it!
Jeff Mitchell: Only doing what he wants!

Movie Connections:

Featured in 40,000 Years of Dreaming (1997)

Soundtrack:

I've Learned to Cope

Squirrelly, sensitive film

The approach taken to this gay-themed light-drama is so low-keyed and matter-of-fact, it makes the whole idea of homosexuality seem rather staid. And that's a nice change of pace, although it's not exactly invigorating for the picture! Young gay Australian plumber lives with his widower dad; they both want a serious commitment with a special someone, and both find the path to romance rather rocky, but dad is fully committed to seeing that his "poof" son finds a partner who won't break his heart. It's based on a play, with the two leads occasionally speaking into the camera--yet this is an idea that isn't intrusive or unpleasant. Just the opposite: the film is so good-hearted that it borders on bland. The most surprising thing you can say about it is not the (discreet) man-on-man make-out scenes, but rather the fact it's Russell Crowe acting in them. Crowe, young but not green, is very affable in this movie, shy and sweet and tender, however it's raffish Jack Thompson as his papa who steals the scenes. **1/2 from ****