The Sum of Us (1994)

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."

Directors:

Geoff Burton, Kevin Dowling

Writers:

David Stevens (play), David Stevens (screenplay)

Stars:

Jack Thompson, Russell Crowe, John Polson

6 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Set in Sydney, Australia. A (heterosexual) father and his gay son are trying to find Ms/Mr Right respectively. The film shows their relationships with one another and the objects of their affection as tradgedy strikes. There is no overt 'message' in the film, just a very natural, entertaining story-telling.

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Plot Keywords:

sydney australia | australia | approving father | homosexual son | breaking the fourth wall | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language and some sexuality

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 March 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Summe der Gefühle

Filming Locations:

Balmain, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD 3,465,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$766,000, 16 March 2015

Gross USA:

$2,510,448, 30 June 2015

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$17,530,888, 1 July 1996

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC), Great Sum Film Limited Partnership, Southern Star Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Greg: "Baxter"?
Jeff Mitchell: It's a joke. The footy team, you know. Back's to the...
Greg, Jeff Mitchell: -wall, here comes Jeff.

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Connections

Featured in Century of Cinema: 40,000 years of dreaming (1997)

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Soundtracks

Better Be Home Soon
Written by Neil Finn
Performed by Crowded House
Courtesy of EMI Music Australia

User Reviews

So he's a Gladiator, eh?

I love this movie because it really adds another face to Russell Crowe's versatility. Everybody remembers him for Gladiator, L.A. Confidential and possibly Romper Stopmer, well, here he's an affectionate gay plumber with an eye for a boy at the bar. Within the first ten minutes you'll also be over run with Aussie-isms such as "two ticks" and "Yonks". When I first thought of the plot, I was thinking, "Gee, this could be jazzed up a bit," but then I figured the simple unpolluted nature of the characters doesn't really require much more of a rollercoaster plot. After seeing this movie, I feel compelled to go to my local australian bar to find hopeless romance in a that boy across the counter. I recommend Breaking Up and Proof, if you liked this.