Till Human Voices Wake Us (2002)

A man returns to Victoria, Australia, where he grew up, and encounters a mysterious woman who reminds him of someone he once knew.

Director:

Michael Petroni

Writer:

Michael Petroni

Stars:

Guy Pearce, Helena Bonham Carter, Frank Gallacher

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Guy Pearce	...	Dr. Sam Franks
Helena Bonham Carter	...	Ruby
Frank Gallacher	...	Maurie Lewis
Lindley Joyner	...	Young Sam Franks
Brooke Harman	...	Silvy Lewis
Peter Curtin	...	Dr. David Franks
Margot Knight	...	Dorothy Lewis
Anthony Martin	...	Russ
Dawn Klingberg	...	Mrs. Sarks
David Ravenswood	...	Lawyer
Stewart Faichney	...	Reverend Mortenbury
Diana Greentree	...	Mrs. Pickford
Ian Swan	...	Police Sergeant
Mark Perren Jones	...	Police Constable
Sally Plant	...	Student #1

Storyline

Sam and Silvy are best friends. One night, as they are watching a falling star while floating on their backs in a lake, Sylvy disappears from his side. Despite his best efforts, he cannot find her under water. Many years later, Sam, now a psychologist, returns to bury his father. Back in his hometown, he meets a woman called Ruby who reminds him in so many ways of his lost love.

---

Plot Keywords:

summer | australia | victoria australia | love | water | 

---

Taglines:

Sometimes the mysteries of your past find a way into your future.

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for a scene of sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 September 2002 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Mistérios do Passado

Filming Locations:

Australia

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$7,968 (USA) (21 February 2003)

Gross:

$120,079 (USA) (9 May 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Instinct Entertainment, Key Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Cinevex)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title is taken from the last line of the 1917 poem 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock' by T.S. Eliot. It reads: "Till human voices wake us and we drown".

---

Goofs

When Sam is telling Ruby her name, she is looking to her left. The film cuts to Sam and then back to Ruby and she is now looking to her right.

---

Quotes

Maurie Lewis: Most people like to hide from things. That retards the growth of the spirit, and pretty soon their mortal ears can't hear the soul flapping its wings, wanting to fly in the face of life. To dare! You understand? Well, you'll never be quite alive until you do.

User Reviews

Amazing cinematography and lighting

As one who would like to make films some day, this film blew my mind as an example of superb cinematography and lighting, as well as balanced and subtle acting. Guy Pearce was a little rigid, but i haven't seen him in anything else, so that may have been an affectation of the morose and sombre character he was playing. Bonham Carter would be a dream to work with. She's a master of the art and has a sly dark, sexuality that i can't resist. I haven't yet, but i'll be searching out the cinematography and lighting credits and looking for more of the work of those fine technicians. Good work on a difficult and slow paced psychological drama.