Mull (1989)

An Australian film about a teenage girl who takes responsibility for keeping her "family" together.

Director:

Don McLennan

Writers:

Jon Stephens (screenplay), Bron Nicholls (novel)

Stars:

Nadine Garner, Bill Hunter, Sue Jones

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nadine Garner	...	Phoebe Mulens
Bill Hunter	...	Frank Mullens
Sue Jones	...	Deborah Mullens
Craig Morrison	...	Steve Mullens
Bradley Kilpatrick	...	Alan Mullens
Kymara Stowers	...	Jo Mullens
Dominic Sweeney	...	Jim
Juno Roxas	...	Guido
Monty Maizels	...	Don
Esme Melville	...	Fanny
Gerard Maguire	...	Dr. Graham
Mary Coustas	...	Helen
Chris Tabone	...	Drummer
Nicholas Caruana	...	Bass player
Nick Giannopoulos	...	George

Storyline

An Australian film about a teenage girl who takes responsibility for keeping her "family" together.

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Plot Keywords:

precocious child | australia | love triangle | loss of mother | gay interest | 

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Taglines:

She had everyone's growing up to do but her own.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

All Right Now
Performed by Juno Roxas (as Guido)
Written by Andy Fraser and Paul Rodgers
Played at the band rehearsal

User Reviews

A passable disappointment

A decent, modest, well-intentioned social drama and coming-of-age tale. Nadine Garner capably carries the film on her young shoulders, and the always-good-value Blunter is typically excellent as her father and the patriarch of the family at the centre of the tale. An interesting range of supporting performances/characters, and plot turns ranging from pleasingly unexpected to slightly odd, help maintain interest. However, the material doesn't often distinguish itself or justify the trouble taken to bring it to life on film.

'Mull' is at its best when dealing with issues of sexuality and religion in a shallow-but-genuine way that is affecting. Overall, though, the screenplay is disappointingly lumpy and too often prosaic, and while I know it's a 'life-goes-on', 'slice-of-life', 'kitchen sink' kind of film (the kind I usually am drawn to and connect with), the lack of an interesting (or convincing) ending is another significant flaw (the film really doesn't earn its use of a peppy 80s pop version of 'I Can See Clearly Now' over the end credits). 'Mull' is really another case where I suspect the novel would have been better, and where perhaps it should have stayed on the page.

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 April 1989 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Mullaway

Filming Locations:

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

International Film Management, Ukiyo Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color