The Night We Called It a Day (2003)

Based on the true events surrounding Frank Sinatra's tour of Australia. When Sinatra calls a local reporter a "two-bit hooker", every union in the country black-bans the star until he issues an apology.

Director:

Paul Goldman

Writers:

Peter Clifton, Michael Thomas

Stars:

Dennis Hopper, Melanie Griffith, Portia de Rossi

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dennis Hopper	...	Frank Sinatra
Melanie Griffith	...	Barbara Marx
Portia de Rossi	...	Hilary Hunter
Joel Edgerton	...	Rod Blue
Rose Byrne	...	Audrey Appleby
David Hemmings	...	Mickey Rudin
David Field	...	Bob Hawke
Victoria Thaine	...	Penny
Stephen O'Rourke	...	Jilly Rizzo
Nicholas Hope	...	Phil
George Vidalis	...	Vinny
Peter Demlakian	...	Ruby
Tony Barry	...	Ralph Blue
Vincent Ball	...	Rex Hooper
Jennifer Hagan	...	Doris

Storyline

Based on the true events surrounding Frank Sinatra's tour of Australia. When Sinatra calls a local reporter a "two-bit hooker", every union in the country black-bans the star until he issues an apology.

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Plot Keywords:

apology | heavy drinking | charity event | airport | music industry | 

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Taglines:

There are some nights you never forget.

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language

Details

Country:

Australia USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 August 2003 (Australia)

Also Known As:

All the Way

Filming Locations:

Fox Studios, Moore Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$113,686 (Australia) (15 August 2003)

Gross:

$246,964 (Australia) (22 August 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Night We Called It a Day Pty. Ltd., Icon Entertainment International, Ocean Pictures Pty. Limited

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min 97 min (Filmfest Hamburg)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

There are a number of anachronisms in the Sydney backdrops, ostensibly set in the 1970s. The most obvious is the catamaran harbour ferry that crosses the screen, in an early night-time shot of the harbour bridge. These were not introduced until 15 years later in 1988.

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Quotes

Bob Hawke: [to Sinatra] You are what we call a 'tall poppy'. We have a way of dealing with tall poppies in this country: we cut their heads off!

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Connections

Featured in Getaway: Episode #18.3 (2009)

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Soundtracks

"The Riddle"
Written by Sid Rumpo
Performed by Sid Rumpo

User Reviews

They should have called it a day a lot earlier

This is loosely based on events that occurred during Frank Sinatra's tour of Australia where, after referring to a female reporter as a "two-bit hooker" he was black-banned by the local unions.

Sadly, what could have been an interesting look at a clash of cultures, values and strong-willed individuals descends into something resembling a comedy sketch put on by a country repertory company.

Dennis Hopper does a stirling job as Sinatra, with very little directorial support. After a while you start to believe he is Ol' Blue Eyes. But virtually all the other characters are painted in the broad brush strokes of low farce.

Joel Edgerton plays the hapless promoter as a dim-witted surfer with a tendency to fall over or get beaten up in every second scene. Portia de Rossi is so loathsome in her role as the maligned journalist that I found myself cheering for Sinatra and the mob for most of the movie.

And, in a masterstroke of bizarre casting and makeup, David Field blithely appears on screen looking about as much like Bob Hawke as my mum. Moreover, he seems to have made a conscious decision not to even attempt Hawke's accent, nor any of his well known mannerisms. The overall effect is as if the producers had decided to cast Dame Edna Everage in the role and hope that no-one would notice.

Almost every Australian character in the film comes across as either a bumbling half-wit or a self-serving thug. I'm surprised Tourism Australia didn't try to have it banned. The sole exception is the delightful Rose Byrne who, as the love interest/voice of sanity, seems to have been beamed in from a parallel universe.

Lamenting the state of the Australian film industry is a national pastime. I think much of it stems from the industry's long love affair with 'daggyness' for its own sake. Who finds this quirky and endearing any more? It's just embarrassing, and the rest of the world obviously thinks so too. This film, with its woeful dialogue, wooden 'school play level' direction, zero character motivation and absurd plot, admirably demonstrates the problem.