Average Rating: 
Rating:  - "The Sum of Us" adds up to success!
This romantic comedy has more than one twist in store for the viewer! Harry (a widower) and his son Jeff are both looking for romantic love but the film explores love relationships far beyond this realm; managing to touch on love between father and son, and via Harry's mother, brought to life in flash back scenes. Russell Crowe plays Jeff, who just happens to be a young gay plumber looking for a partner. The film gains credibility from the fact that 'Jeff' is not the stereotypical gay character and 'Harry', his father, is far from the stereotypical dad. Jeff does not want his life defined by one thing--just being gay. He wants far more out of life and a life partner. Both Russell Crowe and Jack Thompson deliver powerfull performances as father and son and will have you laughing and cheering both of them on in their pursuit of love; but perhaps shedding some tears as well, as their own love for each other is put to the test! Don't miss this fantastic Australian film!
Rating: - Warm father-son story
This movie is very hard to find in the United States, and I cannot understand why it has not been re-released. I would think that someone would want to cash in on Russell Crowe's post-Gladiator success by making this film available again. I mean, they re-released his atrocious "No Way Back", for crying out loud. But alas, it appears that no one has caught on to this little gem (or that a re-release is being deliberately suppressed--that's the conspiracy theorist in me coming out).In any case, I was lucky enough to rent this video a couple of years ago, before it was stolen from my local video store and never replaced. What a delightful surprise it turned out to be. "Sum of Us" is, at it's heart, the story of a boy and his dad. Jeff (Crowe) is looking for love in Sydney's gay bar scene. He desperately wants someone with whom he can share his life, have a beer with, cuddle up to... "Is that too much to ask?" His father, Harry (Jack Thompson), doesn't think so. He desperately wants his son to be happy, and to find true love. Much of the film is hilarious, due in large part to Harry's keen interest in his son's sex/love life, and his openness to discussing it in front of other people. Harry is too supportive, you see, to the point of embarrassing Jeff beyond all hope. The young man whom Jeff fancies is not accustomed to such candor. In fact, he is keeping his own homosexuality a secret from his judgemental father. In the meantime, Harry is looking for love himself, now that he's nearing retirement, which causes its own comedy and drama. In "Sum of Us", Crowe and Thompson break the fourth wall, and speak directly to the audience. This actually works for this film--it does not distract the viewer or take them out of the story. In fact, I felt the same little thrill one does when hearing a good piece of gossip. These little asides to the audience also contribute greatly to the humor. But it's not all fun and games. Jeff is a very sensitive young man, who's been deeply hurt by lovers in the past. Jeff wears his heart on his sleeve, and all of his insecurity, excitement, disappointment, longing, and adoration play across Crowe's face in a heartbreaking, uninhibited performance. Thompson plays off Crowe perfectly, and vice versa. Their relationship is completely believable--you would think that they really were father and son. Getting on each other's nerves, pushing each other's buttons, knowing each other's weaknesses. This is a relationship rarely seen on screen--a close, loving, warm relationship between a parent and child. Dysfunctional family relationships are more volatile, dynamic, and therefore more dramatic in the minds of most screenwriters--normal people are boring. Jeff and Harry are anything but boring, and they take the viewer right along with them. You'll find yourself caring deeply about both Harry and Jeff, hoping, hoping, hoping that everything will work out for each of them in the end. This is a very engaging story, due in large part to the performances of Crowe and Thompson, and the chemistry between the two. Don't miss it. I just purchased a used copy from, and it was worth it. This is a movie that I'm sure I'll watch over and over again, the kind of movie you dust off once a year and discover something new about it each time.
Rating: - Early Russell Crowe Gem
"Aussie" Film Stars Jack Thompson and Russell Crowe as father & son "best friends", looking for lasting love/companionship with a life partner. The aging "dad", who is a widower, habitually tries to play cupid for his gay 20-something son, seemingly spoiling all chances of "success", and eventually starts a search for his own second love. This film is hilarious, filled with great gags throughout. The deeper message of tolerance towards gays and lesbians, as well as loyalty to a loved one in need (when the father suffers a stroke, the son refuses to abandon him, caring for him like a parent would care for a small child) is not deminished by the brilliant humor which surrounds it. "Sap-lovers" will get their fill as well! Honored with many International Film Awards, "The Sum Of Us" adds up to a big winner! Highly recommended!*****
|
