by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
A- Rated R 105 min
Brenda Blethyn, as Jean Dwight, almost carries this Australian film to glory singlehandedly. Keith Thompson’s screenplay is well-written but slightly flawed, in that it doesn’t delve deeply enough into the dysfunctional family characters. However, it’s an engrossing dramedy that exposes Jean’s son Tim (Khan Chittenden), who is embarrassed at having a mother and father who are mediocre entertainers. Tim is involved with a young woman whom he is reluctant to tell about his parents’ profession. Tim is tasked with caring for his mentally-challenged brother Mark (Richard Wilson) and driving his mom to gigs. Mark was mentally-damaged at birth when his brain was deprived of oxygen.
Jean is a bitter, self-pitying and obnoxious drunk who relies on sarcasm to convey her angst at not making it big in England. She is now having trouble finding work in Australia because her standup act is dated and not funny. Tim tries to keep his private life separate from his family because he doesn’t want his girlfriend, a beautiful blonde, Jill (Emma Booth), to meet his mother, who is divorced from his father, John (Frankie J. Holden). John was a one-hit wonder who perpetually tries to make a comeback while working as a security guard.
The story focuses on Jean’s controlling relationship with her son, Tim, and how he deals with it. Her continual drinking binges exacerbate her whiny complaining attitude. Viewers will want to slap her silly. Still, Blethyn creates a complex female character who has to face the reality of her son growing up, complicated by feelings of guilt and resentment toward her mentally-challenged son Mark.
When Tim’s girlfriend finally meets Jean, it’s a disaster. She is drunk and jealous of Jill. Jean sarcastically points out Jill’s beauty while degrading her own son. Fortunately, Jill is a bright young lady and understands what’s going on. She doesn’t hold Tim’s crass mother against him. Remarkably, despite Jean’s abuse, Jill is polite and lets Jean’s insults go without retaliating.
Jill takes a liking to Mark, who is really quite sweet. She and Tim take him out on adventures, much to his mother’s dismay. Of course Jean is over-protective of Mark and treats him like a baby. He has a girlfriend at the Center for Special Needs Kids, where he works, which raises many fears in Jean’s tangled mind. Tim and Jill try to protect Mark from Jean’s controlling manner, believing that he deserves a life away his mother’s overbearing control.
Jean’s problems are multiplied by her upcoming audition for a benefit, which has made her crazier than usual. Jill’s presence in Jean’s house reminds her that she is losing her beauty and appeal. If she doesn’t get this important gig, she may be finished as a performer. Ironically, Jean’s efforts to drive Jill away have only made her relationship with Tim stronger as the couple finds excuses to get away from Jean.
When Jean has a mental breakdown, Tim calls his father John to handle Jean’s freakout. Although Jean and John are divorced, he knows how to pull Jean out of her madness. Jean is typical of women in show business who are getting older and waning in demand. After this episode, Jean begins to change and face reality. Mark is slowly starting his own life with his mentally-challenged girlfriend.
Blethyn again proves why she is one of the best actresses in the business by making the viewer hate her character. The family dynamic shatters and gradually brings the pieces back together. This transition makes for an intriguing character-driven story.
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EU Critic’s Choice Awards
