Looking for Alibrandi (2000)

A teenage Australian girl deals with the traumas of everyday life. These include her difficult relationship with her single mother, the unexpected return of her long-lost father, the ... See full summary »

Director:

Kate Woods

Writers:

Melina Marchetta (novel), Melina Marchetta (screenplay)

Stars:

Greta Scacchi, Anthony LaPaglia, Elena Cotta

7 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Greta Scacchi	...	Christina Alibrandi
Anthony LaPaglia	...	Michael Andretti
Elena Cotta	...	Katia Alibrandi
Kerry Walker	...	Sister Louise (Nun)
Pia Miranda	...	Josie Alibrandi
Kick Gurry	...	Jacob Coote
Matthew Newton	...	John Barton
Leanne Carlow	...	Sera Conti
Diane Viduka	...	Anna Selicic
Leeanna Walsman	...	Carly Bishop
Michael Gallina	...	Robert
Rosa DiMarte	...	Patrizia
Domenico DiMarte	...	Riccardo
Tyrone Lara	...	Anton Valavic
Geoff Morrell	...	Mr. Barton

Storyline

A teenage Australian girl deals with the traumas of everyday life. These include her difficult relationship with her single mother, the unexpected return of her long-lost father, the disapproving nuns at her strict Catholic school, the acceptance of her schoolmates,and romantic dilemmas over two very different boys.

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Plot Keywords:

single mother | f rated | motorcycle | first date | coming of age | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes what you're looking for is closer than you think...

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

4 May 2000 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Alibrandia etsimässä

Filming Locations:

The Scots College, Bellevue Hill, New South Wales, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Robyn Kershaw Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

There are thirteen tracks on the soundtrack album. Of these, three do not appear in the film - Killing Heidi's "Weir", Happyland's "Don't You Even Know Who I Am" and Lo-Tel 's "Teenager of the Year ". The trailer mentions two of these bands as being part of the soundtrack - Killing Heidi and Lo-tel - though none of their music is heard in the film. The Killing Heidi song is heard in the background of the trailer itself. The version of the song "Teenager of the Year " heard on the film is performed by Brenda Starr. Happyland are also heard performing "Tintarella Di Luna" during the film.

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Goofs

Christina was conceived in 1945, so born no later than 1946. She had Josie when she was seventeen years old, meaning Josie was born in early 1965 at the very latest (most likely earlier). Josie is seventeen in the film, which would point to a setting around 1980 (give or take). However, several things - costumes, use of mobile phones, musical references, city features, various props and decor items - come from around the turn of the century, some twenty years later.

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Quotes

Josie Alibrandi: Wait, my father's a barrister,
Carly Bishop: She's lying! She doesn't have a father!
Josie Alibrandi: Yeah, that's right. And I'm the immaculate conception and my mother's the Virgin Mary!

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Connections

References African Manhunt (1955)

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Soundtracks

Divine
Written by McCarthy, Frew, Salmon and Faulkner
Performed by Antenna

User Reviews

Looking in all the right places.

Okay, so firstly this is a fine Australia film. What that means is that it is quirky, memorable, identifiable and just a great way to spend an hour or so. Don't expect big names, well outside of Australia, and don't expect guns, car chases, FX, or your typical Hollywood blaise. This film goes to prove that the simple story of a girl looking for who she is in the world, can still bring a tear to ones eye.

Secondly, for the ladies, if you are looking for a good "chick-flick" you can hardly go wrong. And for the lads, Pia epitamises the "girl next door" look.

Lastly, if you haven't experienced a good Aussie movie and don't fancy a youthful Mel Gibson, why not give this movie a go. I highly recommend it.