Tim (1979)

A somewhat mentally handicapped 20-year-old man works as a laborer, but everyone abuses his naiveté. A nice 40-year-old American woman hires him one day and they become close. However, the town and his family see her as predatory.

Director:

Michael Pate

Writers:

Colleen McCullough (novel), Michael Pate

Stars:

Piper Laurie, Mel Gibson, Alwyn Kurts

4 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Piper Laurie	...	Mary Horton
Mel Gibson	...	Tim Melville
Alwyn Kurts	...	Ron Melville
Pat Evison	...	Em Melville
Peter Gwynne	...	Tom Ainsley
Deborah Kennedy	...	Dawnie Melville
David Foster	...	Mick Harrington
Michael Caulfield	...	John Martinson
Margo Lee	...	Mrs. Harrington
James Condon	...	Mr. Harrington
Brenda Senders	...	Mrs. Parker
Kevin Leslie	...	Curly
Allan Penney	...	Mr. Thompson
Brian Barrie	...	Dr. Perkins
Geoff Usher	...	Minister

Storyline

Tim is a young man with below average intelligence. He works as a builder's labourer, and is often taken advantage of by his fellow workers and other people. Mary asks Tim to work around her yard for a day. The day stretches into a few weekends, and the two soon become good friends. Some people, however, are suspicious of their friendship which seems to be continually strengthening, accusing Mary of taking advantage of Tim's innocence. Will changing circumstances in Tim's family life change his relationship with Mary?

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Plot Keywords:

male and female protagonists | borderline mentally retarded | looking at oneself in a mirror | man wears eyeglasses | woman wears eyeglasses | 

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Taglines:

A chance meeting. An impossible love story come true.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Piper Laurie's character comes outside to read whilst Tim is working in the yard, the book she is reading is "The Thorn Birds", written by Colleen McCullough, the same author as "Tim". When Tim joins her for tea he asks if the book is any good, and she responds that it is very interesting. Several years later, Piper Laurie had a role in the TV miniseries that was made out of The Thorn Birds.

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Goofs

The boom and the shadow of the boom operator follow Mary out of her kitchen in the bottom right of the screen at the beginning of the film.

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Quotes

Ron Melville: Shut up, or i'll flatten ya!

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Connections

Version of Mary & Tim (1996)

User Reviews

Simply beautiful and sensitive

The film Tim is one of the most sensitive acting jobs I have seen Mel Gibson do. It is so unusual that a young actor can play a mentally slow young man so well. He gives us insight into the world of feelings of his character with his voice, body language, and facial expression in a way that makes each moment come alive. He is truly living his character. Piper,(Mary), also plays her role with all the care and sensitivity it needs. The story of the growing friendship between the two makes for more of a poem than a movie. A true love story, regardless of age and handycaps. And Tim's parents are well acted and believable. The harsh note of realism comes in the form of Tim's sister who only sees the oddness of it. However, magic prevails and a delicate love story is born. I wish it had been longer to further develop their lives. I also wish Mel Gibson would return more often to his ability to portray sensitive men with such truth.

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 July 1979 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Tim

Filming Locations:

Palm Beach, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pisces Productions, Australian Film Commission, Greater Union Organisation (GUO)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1