Displaying items by tag: Anthony Hayes

BETTER MAN

Australia/UK, 2024, 134 minutes, Colour.

Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman, Kate Mulvaney, Damon Herriman, Fraser Hadfield, Raechelle Banno, Tony Budge, Anthony Hayes, John Waters.

Directed by Michael Gracey.

Whether you know all about British singer, Robbie Williams and his extensive and successful career, or whether you know nothing about him, this film is an extraordinary cinema, cinematic, experience.

It is based on the Robbie Williams memoir. And, while this film might be called a portrait or a biopic, it takes a different path from the usual. It is an overview of William’s career (though checking on his initial years in the boy band, Take That, then his solo career, reuniting with Take That, collaborating with many artists, tours, it reveals that there is far far more to his activities and success than the film indicates). But, it might be also described as a portrait of Robbie Williams psyche, his confidence and lack of confidence, his self-image, self-deprecating yet highly assertive, alcohol and drug addiction for many decades, erratic antics and behaviour, exploration of family connections, and massive success and awards which might have been his hopes but more than his expectations.

And, the way to do this? The device of Robbie Williams appearing as a chimpanzee. On paper, this might have sounded too risky. However, in the introductory sequences, Robert as a little boy, bullied, emulating his singing father, concern from his hard-working mother, support from a doting grandmother, he does appear as a chimpanzee and the audience is willing to accept this. And, a tribute to British actor, Jono Davies, who appears for the most part as Williams, the Robbie Williams himself, behind the mask, as himself in his later years. With the chimpanzee prosthetics and CGI effects, Davies is still able to create a credible and complex character, in performance, in song, in his torments.

Much of the film was made in Australia Australian director, Michael Gracey (with a background of visual effects and commercials), who entertained audiences with The Last Show man. There are some British actors like Jono Davies, Steve Pemberton as Pete Conway, Williams ambitious to entertain father, and a pleasing Alison Steadman as the devoted grandmother. But, a great number of the rest of the cast are Australians, led by Damon Herriman as producer, Nigel  Martin Smith, Kate Mulvaney as William’s mother, Anthony Hayes as producer, and even veteran John Waters as Michael Parkinson in an interview.

To describe this portrait as a “warts and all” expose is an enormous understatement!

So, while the device of having Williams appear in monkey form tells us to look at him differently, especially in his depressed moments, seeing hostile chimpanzee variations of himself in the audiences, condemning him, there is a great deal of virtuoso filmmaking, special effects and editing, for instance a huge musical extravaganza sequence in Regent Street in London, the crowds at the Williams concerts and their adulation, contrasting with quiet moments of personal anguish, the sequence of the funeral of his grandmother.

For those who have followed Williams for more than 30 years in his career, the Take That era and his solo career, there is an enormous range of his songs included here. But the whole film is framed by one song that highlights the initial ambitions, the ups and downs of the career, the downs and ups of personal life, the seeking of help, coming through with the lyrics of doing all he could to become a Better Man, the song lyrics for William’s life, especially as he stands on stage singing with his father, enabling his father to take a bow, the Frank Sinatra-gospel affirmation: My Way.

1. Title, Robbie Williams and his song, his ambitions to be a Better Man while doing it “My Way”?
2. Audience knowledge of Robbie Williams, his career, popularity, awards? The boy band, Take That? His solo career? Preparations? Songs and lyrics? Ups and downs? How much does audience knowledge of him affect the response to the film?
3. The film based on Williams’ memoir, his honesty, being candid, warts and all, strengths and failures? His origins, bullied as a boy, love of music, his father and his singing, entertaining, leaving, the separation for long years? His working mother and support? His doting grandmother? Her encouragement, his ability to sing, the enjoyment of the Pirates of Penzance concert, nervousness, showing off, applause?
4. The impact of the device of his appearance as monkey, “less evolved than other people”, the psychological effect for the audience, acceptance, interpretation? His own self-image? The aptness of the monkey facade, appearance? And the audience accepting this throughout the film? The versatility of Jono Davies performance’, acting, singing, stagecraft, but also the brooding and quiet episodes? And the effect of the various images of himself, monkeys, in the audience, criticising and condemning him? And, in the final sequences, Robbie Williams himself?
5. The film as a psychodrama, Robbie Williams commentary on himself, his ambitions and hopes, yet putting himself down, comparisons with his father, bullied at football, the success in the play at school, the joining with the young men of Take That, the role of Nigel Martin Smith, organiser, shrewd, getting performances, rehearsing, songs and lyrics, Gary Bowler as the lead, yet Robbie Martin lead singing, Smith naming him Robbie, the impact and range of performances of the songs?
6. Williams at 16, in his teens, success, the gay clubs, popularity, the concerts for young women and their acclaim? The effect on Williams? Self-image, clashes with the group, spoiling performances, acting like a spoiled brat? Depression sequences, the driving, the oncoming vehicles, swerving into the water, the swarm of fans in the water, his coming to the surface?
7. The possibility of going solo, Chambers changing him, listening to the song, arranging it, the continued collaboration over the years?
8. Success, his father, his entertaining in the small clubs and groups, changing his name, leaving, pride in his son, turning up after many years, trying to make contact? The support of his mother, her presence at the concerts, with his grandmother? The crucial moment of his performance, his mother phoning, the news of his grandmother’s death, the transition to the cemetery, the burial, and his later taking the TV to her grave? (And the very British touches with their watching the two Ronnies – and the image of the two Ronnies towards the end of the film?)
9. Success, reviews, concerts, collaborations, tours? The interview with Michael Parkinson, sitting on his lap, the smart remarks, self-confidence and self-doubt?
10. The significance of the group therapy encounter?
11. The encounter with Nicole Appleton, on the boat, her gradual revelation herself, the communication, the relationship, the significance of Oasis and the comparisons, Liam Gallagher, the drugs? The break with Nicole, at the house, his secluding himself in the bathroom, her shock, leaving him?
12. His ambition to play at Knebville, the discussions, eventually arriving there, the crowds, the performance, the doubts, the surreal image of his fighting the battle with all the images of himself and conquering them?
13. The portrait of the members of Take That, in themselves, their talent, the success, the clashes with Robbie, his leaving, Nigel Martin Smith and his contempt for Robbie, watching him leave? But the later reconciliation with Gary and the others? Performances?
14. The finale, on stage, his father present, the background of their confrontation, Gary lying on the water, his father going into the water, the interchange, Robbie wanting his father support for Robert? His father’s self-awareness, at the concert, on stage, their singing together, his father finally taking a bow having said he was happy just to entertain one person with all that he had?
15. Robbie Williams aged 50 at the time of the release of the film, looking back at his life? And life ahead?

THE TWELVE 2

Australia, 2024, 8X 45 minutes, Colour.

Amy Matthews, Errol Shand, Kris McQuade, Tasman Walton, Josh McKenzie, Anthony Brandon Wong, Stefanie Cacama, Luke Pegler, Feysall Bazzi, Sam Neill, Frances O'Connor, Anthony Hayes, Gerard Lebowski.

Directed by Stevie Cruz Smith, Jocelyn Moorhouse, Ben Young.

The television series, The Twelve, made quite an impact on television audiences, a focus on a trial, some quite significant members of the jury, others on the periphery. And, the trial lawyers, played by Sam Neill and Marta Dusseldorp, as well is the accused, played by Kate Mulvaney, were well written roles. And, there was always the mystery of the guilt or innocence of the accused.

This is the second series. The only continuing character is that played by Sam Neill as a defence lawyer, always self assured, charming, the touch of the ruthless. In this version he has a co-worker, played by Frances O’Connor. There are two accused, Amy Matthews and Errol Shand, the lawyers defending one each. Prosecutor is portrayed by Fayssal Bazzi.

The setting is Western Australia, a country town, the death of an elderly woman farmer, rather a harridan, played effectively by Kris McQuade. Her daughter and her lover are accused of her murder.

The screenplay this time, after a prologue indicating the setting and the characters, focuses on the trial, meetings outside the courtroom, but mainly flashbacks indicating the different perspectives on the situation, the death, possible scenarios, and unexpected aspects in the final solution.

And, as with the original series, there is strong focus on several of the jurors, a young woman caring for her sister who, in fact, is her daughter, a young man, on drugs, involved in money deals, an ageing and dying Asian character clashing with his children, a woman caring for her elderly mother discovering aboriginal connections…

The court scenes and cross examinations are always very interesting, there are twists and turns on the prosecution and the defence, some tense human relationships.

The series has several directors especially Jocelyn Moorhouse.

1. The popularity of the first series? The series based on an original Dutch program?
2. The adaptation to Western Australia, the country town, the streets and buildings, the courthouse, hotels and motels, the countryside and the farms, homesteads? The musical score?
3. The structure of the series, the introduction to the crime situation, the investigators, the arrests, the lawyers and visits to the accused, the selection of the jury and the discussions about who should be on the jury? The judge? The flashbacks to Bernice, Sasha and Patrick? The cumulative effect of the flashbacks, and the development of the story of particular genres? The dramatic effect? The twist at the end, Thelma and her intervention?
4. The dramatic impact of the court proceedings, the prosecutor and his stances, less experience than Colby and Meredith, their skills, interrogations? The wide range of witnesses and testimonies? Dramatic interactions? The focus on the jurors and their responses? The assistance to the prosecutor and offenders?
5. The core of the plot, Bernice, age, hard work, harsh personality, mean minded, the response of the town, hostility? Sasha, her age, working with her mother, her mother’s control over her? Yet her daughter’s love? Patrick, the breakdown, getting the lift, the relationship with Sasha, Kelly and the children and his visits to them, the relationship with Sasha, passionate on her side, his response to her? Bernice’s disapproval, criticisms of Patrick, criticising her daughter, observing, getting Sasha to withdraw the money, the $50,000, visiting Patrick at the motel, giving him the money, his taking it? His giving it to Kelly?
6. Audience response to the personalities of Sasha and Patrick, during the affair, side-by-side in the prison, the advice to look straight ahead in the court? The reality of the pregnancy, the birth of the baby, Sasha wanting to visit, the visit to the prison?
7. The death of Bernice, in the well, the possibilities, the issue of the well and it repairs, the company manager, his presence, confronting in the court, hostility towards Bernice, Colby surveying his back entry, his admission of changing the lights?
8. The neighbours, farming, lesbians and attacks, the death of the dog, the visit, the visit, questioning in court?
9. The focus on the genres, in court, the discussions, Winston as foreman, the range of men, the range of women in, behaviour, friendships, out-of-court meetings?
10. Winston, his wealth, the mill, terminal cancer, the nurse, weary, friendship, the marijuana, the visit of his son and daughter, their neglect, his severity, his daughter reporting the nurse, the substitute nurse? The visit to the club? The friendship? His reaction to criticisms about parents and their treatment of children, wills? His final decision, selling the company, dividing the money, the final scene with his son?
11. Joey, young, his father, friendship with Pete, his girlfriend, the drugs, money needs, the drive, the crashing of the sign, the repairs, the payout to the mechanic, borrowing from the bank, Peter and his drinking, giving him the drugs, people dying, the interrogations, his lying, his girlfriend and her finally walking out? Pete’s father, asking him to be the football coach? His behaviour with the other jurors? The owner of the pub, genial, on the jury, the night of celebration at the pub? His father and the money for buying the ring, for reconciliation? Continuing the drugs, in the bar, the bartender, his being overcome, going to the police, his confession, driving with his father, not participating in the jury?
12. Thelma, looking after her mother, dementia, the neighbours, killing the hens, throwing the eggs, the punctured football, Thelma and her friend, the confrontation with the neighbours, challenge about her mob, issues of racism, questioning her mother, the mention of Bernice, going to the former home, getting the documents, photocopying them, her reaction? Her outbursts against her mother, her partner coming him down, her feeling of her to discovering the truth about her origins, racial prejudice?
13. Claudia, at home, with her sister, working at the bar, severe father, severe mother, the issue of the rollerblades and the little girl envious, Claudia and her age, with the jury, serious, going out with the gay couple, drinking, admitting the truth about her daughter? Later at the party? Her mother forbidding her to go to the holy communion ceremony? The little girl leaving? Claudia confronting her parents? The continued anxiety, the confrontation with her mother, her daughter overhearing the truth, running out, hit by the car, hospital, the visits, Claudia inviting her to go rollerskating?
14. The Muslim nurse, at work, comments, the invitation to her home, her concern about Winston and his harsh reaction to her?
15. The young woman, her ex-husband, the interactions?
16. The smug character, knowing all about the town, the money deals, presumption of guilt, reactions to his assertions?
17. The range of people interviewed, their comments, their opinions, Sasha is close friend and her outburst against Patrick? The doctors and their opinions, the detective from Perth, the manager of the motel and his playing computer games and accuracy of memory?
18. The revelation about Bernice, the affair, the family reaction, going to the Centre, giving birth, giving up the child? Her knowing that Patrick was the child? The flashbacks to the confrontation, the revelation of the truth, the reason for Bernice giving Patrick the money, wanting the child destroyed, Bernice and the gun, Sasha and her defiance, Patrick hitting her, going for the ambulance, Sasha, the body, her ability to carry a heifer, carrying her mother’s body, putting her down the well, her motivations, anger, love for Patrick, the baby?
19. Meredith, Colby and further information, the estrangement, her visiting Sasha, the cross-examination the court, Colby and the revelation about the relationship, defensive Patrick? Sasha and her anger at Meredith? Meredith and the phone call to Chris and the children, his filing separation papers? Her defeat?
20. The prosecutor, the attack on Sasha, her breaking down, the adjournment?
21. Colby, reconstructing the situation, exonerating Patrick?
22. The audience, the added accumulation of flashbacks, what might have happened, what did happen, changing loyalties, jewellery, the details of the discussions, orderly, good arguments? The decisions?
23. The audience seeing the truth, Patrick being freed, his attempts to save his mother’s life? Sasha, sympathy for her, but her decision against her mother? Her going to prison, the prospect of her child? And the revelation that she was guilty? But the final irony of Patrick saying he had given the money to Kelly, his digging it up and disappearing?
24. A satisfying mystery, life in Western Australia and community, relationships, violence, the crime, the evidence, the flashbacks, the jury’s decision?

TOTAL CONTROL/ SERIES 3

Australia, 2024, 6 x 60 minutes, Colour.

Deborah Mailman, Rachel Griffiths, Rob Collins, Wayne Blair, Wesley Patten, Huw Higginson, Anthony Hayes, Steph Tisdell, Benedict Hardie, Rosie Lourde, Lisa Hensley, Jozef Beer, Catherine McClements, Fayssal Bazzi, Maya Stange.

Directed by Wayne Blair, Jub Clerc.

The first series of Total Control made such an impact in 2019 that in 2021 the second series went to air on the ABC. Deborah Mailman as Alex Irving, politician, the central character, won many awards. Rachel Griffiths was a strong presence. There were dramatic complications about First Nations people, Alex and her life in Queensland, in Parliament, dependence on Rachel, their clashes. This was developed in the second series, also developing the relationship between Alex and her brother Charlie, Rob Collins, leading to strong tensions. There was also the relationship between Alex and her son, Eddie, Wesley Patten. And there was a great deal of political conflict.

This is taken for granted in the third series, Alex initially seen in Queensland, with her new advisor, very patient and sympathetic Jolie, Steph Tisdell. Alex is campaigning, challenging the government for floods in the North. This sets a pattern for her behaviour throughout this series, as an independent in the House of Representatives, outspoken, always challenging, confronting the new prime minister of a minority government, played by Wayne Blair (who also directed three episodes). She clashes with her brother Charlie, now married, his wife expecting, his working for the prime minister on policy and documents.

And, there is the continuing relationship, friendly and hostile, with Rachel, the latter wanting an alliance of independent members, difficulties in finance, possibilities of corruption, investigative journalist with threats. And there is the continued concern of Alex for her son, his being in Canberra, at a special school, involved in protests against racism, planning to be an exchange student.

There is also the issue of Alex’s health, her incessant work, collapse, surgery, secrecy.

The fifth episode is well worth seeing, parliamentary sitting, Alex warning the prime minister that she would be a threat, proposing amendments, the cause of social justice for the young, trapping the prime minister and his relentless advisor, Sharon, Lisa Hensley, getting the support of the boisterous leader of the opposition, Anthony Hayes, only to outwit him to get support for further amendments which the government is forced to accept.

One of the best of Australian television series.

1. The title, Alex, have Total Control of herself?
2. The popularity of the series, Australian life, society, First Nations people, politics, corruption, Canberra?
3. The value of the miniseries, six hours to develop characters and themes?
4. Deborah Mailman as Alex Irving? The three series? The origins, her journey, Queensland, aboriginal, the past, relationship with her mother, crisis and her mother appearing to her, her relationship with Charlie, relationship with her son, Eddie? The opening, the floods in Queensland, the need for aid, government inaction? Her visit, her assistant, representations to the government? Political will? The intervention of the Queensland government, opening the Winton Medical Centre, the irony of her mother and illness, delayed, her death?
5. Alex, her age, career, ups and downs, out of the Senate, House of Representatives, relationship with Rachel over the years, relationship with Paul? Paul as Prime Minister, First Nations, minority government, the crossbench, the Greens? Alex and her associations? Her courses, youth justice, the arguments with Paul, the dinner with him and her family, clashes with Charlie? Relationship with the opposition leader, using him, outwitting him? Her reliance on Jolie, price, the bond, the talk, Alex not wanting Jolie to pester her? Her health situation, secretive, the discussions with the doctor, the need for an operation, going to Queensland, the secrecy, collapse, her relationship with Dominic, driver and security, his challenging her – confidant, the later evening, dancing, the kiss? Alex has driven, her moods, strict mother, advised to be free with her son?
6. Rachel, the past, her leadership, losing government, the crossbench? Forming the alliance? The think tank? Nick and his influence? Matt, the opposition, her wanting to influence him? Her relationship with Alex, up and down, the visit for to discussions? Lobbying for boats? Rachel and the encounters with Marian, the interview, the material for the article, Rachel wanting the injunction, collaboration with the Greens, the think tank, the finances? Kathleen, the discussion, Helena, wanting to support? Her being the source of Marian’s information? Kathleen hacking Marian? Rachel and the confrontation? Rachel and her voting record? Peter and his advisory role, constant? Alex and her anger with Rachel, Rachel saying she was not above suspicion? Alex justifying herself and abandoning Rachel?
7. Paul, Prime Minister, aboriginal background, political savvy, the minority government, personal involvement, strengths and weaknesses? The parliamentary sittings and abuse?) Sharon, tough attitudes, advice, strategies? The relationship with Alex, the conflicts? Alex challenging? Charlie, his job, writing, the deadlines, policies? Charlie and his outburst against Paul, the aftermath? Alex and her visits, the threats, the setting of the house of parliament, her amendments, Paul being trapped?
8. The picture of the opposition, the gung ho leader, his abuse of parliamentarians, the Speaker correcting him? Conservative, his following? Supporting Alex, a new amendments, his being trapped, his eyes harsh attitudes towards youth? The walkout of his members who did not support him? Matt, principals, urged by Rachel, the rebel group, part of the alliance?
9. Eddie, his age, Queensland background, life and friends, at home there? In Canberra, the school, private school, the students? Skipping school, friends, elitist groups? His protesting, the bigoted security guard, filming him, his being arrested, Alex ambushed by the media? Her reaction? Taking him to Queensland? Her not telling him about her health? The friend whom he supported with the filming, the police, going to the party, Charley driving them home, drinking, drunk, sick? Supported by Dee? Her pregnancy, waters breaking, driving her to the hospital, his presence, support, calling the baby Eric? His wanting to be an exchange student, the decision coming through, Iceland? His demanding honesty from his mother?
10. Charlie, relationship with Alex, family, in Canberra, the previous attack on Alex and himself, the stabbing, the racist attack, the court case, the racists interview and apology? Charlie and his relationship with Dee, her pregnancy, nice couple, her professionalism, his job, the deadlines, the timing, policies? Phone calls with Alex? His outburst against Paul? His decision to go to therapy, the meetings? Late for the birth? Decisions about the future, haven’t Dee and her job, going back to Winton, the possibilities of New York?
11. Jolie, the big woman, motherly, advisor and confidante to Alex, Rachel offering her the job, concerned about Alex’s health? Thank advice? The final decision about parliament?
12. The Parliamentary sequence, the Speaker getting ready, the formalities, the rowdiness and the Speaker intervening? The issue, the amendments, the reactions, Alex and her presentation, having the floor, Paul and Sharon, the opposition initially supporting, Alex outwitting them, her speeches, the divisions, the press response? The success? The press and the accusations of corruption? Her collapse?
13. The issue of corruption, Marion in her article, the accusations against Helena, her resigning? Rachel offering supply? Marian leaving the confidential dossier for Alex? The press conference and her honesty, the final confrontation with Rachel? The alliance, and Matt announcing Alex as leader?
14. The finale, Alex talking to camera, about aboriginal leadership, accusations and challenges to the audience?