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A little bit of soul
Threat advisory: Guarded - General risk of entertaining activities
Movie propaganda
Doctor Richard Shorkinghorn (David Wenham) is on the verge of discovering the key to the ageing process but is running out of money to complete his work. Potential funding may come from Grace Michael (Heather Mitchell) of the Michael Foundation. Grace invites Richard to spend a weekend in the country to discuss his proposal.
On arrival, Richard is annoyed to discover that Kate (Frances O'Connor), his ex-girlfriend and ex-research assistant, has also been invited to Grace's country retreat and is chasing the same funding.
As Richard and Kate compete for Grace's favours they get a lot more that they bargained for as Grace's husband, the distinctly disturbed Godfrey usher (Geoffrey Rush), plays host. Despite their constant bickering, Richard and Kate end up forming an alliance as the visit begins to turn into the weekend from hell. Richard and Kate get their money - but at what price?
Intelligence analyst
Special Agent Matti
Theatrical report
A small idea on an unsuccessful search for a big one.
It's really sad to kill and bury an Australian film, especially when it also means another blow to the local film industry but A little bit of soul just isn't up to scratch. The plot, such as there is one, is a rambling path full of potholes, some deep enough that the only way out is by use of a deus ex machina. Or, even worse, by writing the script so that it "just happens".
The acting is standard for a standard kind of Australian film, apart from David's and Heather's performances which are above the line. There are some funny bits, some witty bits, some ironic bits, but none of these can save the rest of the film, which is basically crap.
Don't bother to see it in the cinema and don't wait for it to come out on video, which will be happening all too soon.
Security censorship classification
M (Adult themes, medium level coarse language)
Surveillance time
84 minutes (1:24 hours)
Not for public release in Australia before date
DVD rental: 26 March 1998
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