GOING SANE
Australia, 1987, 89 minutes, Colour.
John Waters, Judy Morris, Linda Cropper, Frank Wilson.
Directed by Michael Robertson.
Going Sane is a Sydney comedy with a manic touch. Written by John Sandford from his own experiences, the film was directed by Michael Robertson (director of Best of Friends). There are good comic touches - but the material is treated in the manner of the telemovie rather than the cinema film. John Waters is suitably melancholic as the hero facing mid-life crisis. However, Judy Morris gives a caricature of a performance as his wife. Linda Cropper is good as his secretary while Frank Wilson excels himself as the rich knighted capitalist.
The film focuses on interesting issues, has the comic touch - passable thoughtful entertainment.
1. The blend of the comic and the serious?
2. The use of Sydney locations, the atmosphere of the city, the bush, the outback? Contrasts of city and Outback? Musical score?
3. The title and its humorous irony? The focus on middle age, senility, sanity and insanity? Who was sane? Who insane?
4. John Waters' portrait of Martin: melancholic presence, age, the brittle and boring marriage, waking up, the coffee for Ainslie, the forgotten birthday, going to work, Irene and the presents, Sir Colin and Irwin? The clashes with Ainslie? Irene and her trying to be seductive, going to dinner, going home to Ainslie, the affair? His preoccupation with time, the calculator for the minutes? His various jobs, going to Mt Grant (the car-ride with Irene, the plane, telling off the unionists)? The bolting of himself into Sir Colin's office? His depression? People appealing to him? Leaving with Irene? The trip to the outback, the desire to go to the Centre, the desire for a mystical experience? Driving through the Outback, heat and isolation? The encounter with Owen, the dogs, the meal, the house, Marta and her sexual advances, his running away? The decision to forgo the experience and return to Sydney? Starving himself, the derelict, the ambulance? In hospital, his fast? Wanting to die? Nosh and her friendliness,
persuading him to eat, to defy the authorities? The visits of Irene and Ainslie? The escape? Going to the farm? The group, getting on with thee, clashes? The mining? The irony of Mt. Grant and the visit of Colin? His one-upmanship? Visiting Ainslie and the police coming? Talking things over with Matthew? Matthew's sympathy? The romantic ending and his returning to the country? State of mind, middle age? Expertise and training? Opting out? Freedom, painting, in love with Nosh?
5. Ainslie and her petty style, mannered, the boring marriage, abuse, her fads and her sport? Clashes with Martin, the visit to Sir Colin's office? Clash with Irene, making friends with her? Tennis together? Living in? Calling the police? The satiric visits to the hospital? A caricature performance?
6. Irene as the secretary, glasses, reading Woman's Day and getting advice from the stars? Flirting? Going out. with Martin, her embarrassment going to Ainslie’s? The affair? Her going on the trip? her not enjoying the trip, the toilet in the Outback? Friendliness with Ainslie, living in, sharing Ainslie's point of view?
7. Sir Colin and the satire on the capitalist, his savings, running the business, secretary, disdain for Irwin and ridiculing jobs, deals? Praying about Irwin? The satire on the capitalist?
8. Irwin as the wealthy, speedy driver, imitating his father, the deal?
9. Nosh at the hospital, urging Martin to eat, helping him escape, the farm, the group, the clash with the miners, in love with Martin?
10. Matthew and his relationship with his father, study, exams?
11. The background of business, engineers, deals? Government, unions? The blend of realism and fantasy? Comedy and satire? Whose point of view? Criteria for sanity?
