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The Illustrated Family Doctor - Samuel Johnson, Colin Friels, Jessica Napier, Kriv Stenders

Threat advisory: High - High risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

It's about life. And death. And all the office hours in between.

Gary Kelp (Samuel Johnson) is losing the plot. As he edits a medical journal called The Illustrated Family Doctor, his life and his body seem to be falling apart. A black comedy about coping with the modern world, based on the novel by David Snell.

Theatrical propaganda posters

Target demographic movie keyword propaganda

Film Australia drama black comedy insurance office meaning of life

Persons of interest

Samuel Johnson .... Gary Kelp
Colin Friels .... Ray Gill
Jessica Napier .... Christine
Sacha Horler .... Carol Kelp
Kestie Morassi .... Jennifer
Brian Meegan .... Bob Boundary
Paul Sonkkila .... Snapper Thompson
Sarah Pierse .... Gary's Mum
Jason Gann .... Carl Lucas
William Zappa .... Adrian Kelp
Emma Randall .... Clarice Stoker
Andrew Ausage .... Morgue Orderly
Beth Armstrong .... Matronly Woman
Helmut Bakaitis .... John
Steve Vella .... Dave
Clayton Jacobson .... Phil
Alex Babic .... Kerry
Charles Abbott .... Dr Cherry
David Snell .... Author
Kriv Stenders .... Screenwriter
David Snell .... Screenwriter
Kriv Stenders .... Director

Cinematic intelligence sources

The Illustrated Family Doctor official movie site
The Illustrated Family Doctor production notes
The Illustrated Family Doctor QuickTime movie trailers
Awards and film festivals:

Australian Film Critics Association Awards 2005: Nominated: Best Adapted Screenplay (Kriv Stenders)
Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC) Screen Music Awards 2005: Nomination: Best Soundtrack Album (Thomas Ellard)

Studios and distributors:

Palace Films

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

The Illustrated Family Doctor is not just a black comedy, it's a slash-your-wrists comedy. Talk about depressing. Samuel Johnson's Everyman is as maudlin as they come this side of the daisies. You really want him to euthanase just so the suffering will stop. Sometimes giving up is a good thing.

One thing that I wish had been given up is the excessive use of "artistic" shots by Kriv Stenders. In a film with a script that relies upon blandness for its humour you can't be "artistic" without undercutting your story. Less is more. [More or less. - Director of Intelligence.]

The Illustrated Family Doctor is a really good Australian art-house drama/comedy that will be under-appreciated because there aren't enough explosions, stabbings, shootings, runnings or hittings. It's damned funny, though, as long as you've taken your Efexor.