The Sum of Us

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Australia has no shortage of he-man actors. Tops on anybody's list would be Russell Crowe and bluff, burly Jack Thompson, neither of whom looks completely at ease without a pint of lager in his hand. Thus it's a brilliant touch to cast them together in a gay comedy--Crowe as an uncloseted young man looking for love, Thompson as his open-minded straight father, who's so eager to help his son find Mr. Right, he's actually a bit of an annoyance. The 1995 movie betrays its stage origins, especially when the characters turn to the camera to deliver conversational asides. And the one-joke premise of Thompson's unflagging enthusiasm for his son's sex life becomes almost as tiresome for the viewer as it does for the son. But it's an innocuous enough little movie, and the two actors bring their gruff likability into every scene. In retrospect, Crowe's future stardom looks blindingly obvious. --Robert Horton

Description

Jack Thompson (Star Wars, Episode II: Attack of the Clones) and OscarÂ(r) winner* Russell Crowe (A Beautiful Mind) star in this "fresh spin [on an] old heart-tugging plot" (Los Angeles Times)the overprotective parent's well-intended interference with an adult child'slife. "Extraordinarily funny [and] startlingly effective" (The San Francisco Examiner), thisaward-winning** film is mandatory viewing for anyone who's ever been a parent or had one! Harry Mitchell (Thompson) has a problem with his gay son Jeff (Crowe): Harry thinks he needs to finda mate! With a loving push out of the nestand into the gay bars of Sydneyhe becomes his son'sbiggest cheerleader. But it's Harry's secret romance with an attractive but judgmental divorcÃ(c)e that puts father and son at odds and prompts them to discover that acceptance is a two-way street! *2000: Actor, Gladiator **American Film Institute Award: Screenplay; Cleveland International Film Festival: Best Film; Montreal World Film Festival: Screenplay

Customer Reviews:

"Ashamed of Jeff? Never.".......2007-08-17

Twenty-something Jeff Mitchell (Russell Crowe) is a gay plumber and footie player who lives with his father, Harry (Jack Thompson). The two have a close and loving relationship and Dad is forever trying to fix Jeff up with nice men. Harry, a widower, misses being in love and tries a computer dating service for himself; the lady he meets seems just about perfect, until he tells her about his son.

This is a very sweet father and son story, with Crowe and Thompson both convincing, sympathetic, and utterly likeable in their roles. Filmed in Sydney, the thick Aussie accents and slang may be a bit hard to understand at times, but they make the story seem very real and intimate. I would have given the film five stars (I did give it 3.5 stars) had it not been for the very annoying gimmick of having the actors break character and talk directly to the camera every few minutes. This was especially distracting when the father, paralyzed and mute from a stroke, suddenly started moving and speaking normally. I gather this is a holdover from the stage play, but it definitely destroyed the continuity; each time an actor spoke to the audience, we were reminded that it's only acting and we had to start all over in our willing suspension of disbelief. It would have been so much better if they had just used voice-overs or, better yet, skipped the narrations altogether.

Since no story lines are concluded, this is basically a slice-of-life drama, a peek into a life shared by father and son. The sight of Russell Crowe in footie shorts is reason enough to watch this movie; his many fans will enjoy seeing him in his pre-Hollywood days in this simple and lovely love story.

A movie well done..........2007-08-14

I'm not gay - but I have to tell you - I love this movie! It was very heartwarming. I could easily watch this movie 100 times over - and never get tired of it. Both young men where very desirable - coming from completely different homes - one father accepted his sons way of life while the other was against it. The trials they both go through - with their own families and with their own self's - it really was a very well done movie.

Nice performances and story.......2007-07-22

Russell Crowe and Jack Thompson do a fine job of playing son and father, with the former showing his love and devotion after his dad falls ill, and the father, before that time, showing his acceptance of his gay son and a refusal to let anyone else make him feel ashamed of it.

Funny, moving romantic comedy.......2007-01-25

THE SUM OF US deserves to be seen by a large audience. Such a special, humane film, graced by a fine script, excellent acting, and such uplifting general message is all one needs in order to feel good about belonging to the human race. Jack Thompson and Russell Crowe are brilliant in it. What wonderful actors, indeed!

Only good for Russell Crowe Fans.......2007-01-04

Storyline was barely believable. First time I watched it, I loved it - but that was mainly based on seeing Russell.
Second time I attempted to watch it, I turned it off. The storyline, or lack of, was really noticeable this time. And the father is nothing less that irritating.
I suggest buy a second hand copy only!

Average customer rating:

The Sum Of Us
Director: Geoff Burton , and Kevin Dowling
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Gay & Lesbian | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Product Description

A widowed father has to deal with two complex issues: while he is searching for "Miss Right," his son, who is in his 20s and gay, is searching for "Mr. Right."

DVD:

DVD

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