Cinema
Unfinished Business
Bob Ellis · 1985
Synopsis
Geoff, a journalist in his forties, returns to Sydney after fifteen years in America, leaving behind a failed marriage and three young children. He meets again Maureen, the woman he loved before leaving. She is married to George, whom she loves, but they have no child, George being sterile, and she asks Geoff to give her one. They set about it by calculating days and temperatures, in a house by the sea; the arrangement frustrates them both, and love returns.
Context
The film was first meant to have a different title and rest on a different actor; when he was no longer available, the director wrote a new screenplay in three days and shot it in eleven days, at three locations in Sydney, with a budget of 102,000 dollars and photography by Andrew Lesnie, on 16 mm. Shown in 1986 at the Sundance festival and at the Melbourne festival, it had a brief run in cinemas in Sydney and Melbourne. David Stratton found humour and optimism in it, and was surprised that it works so well given its shooting conditions.
Who it is for
A comedy in Australian English, almost entirely dialogue, carried by two performers.
Prizes and reception
Five AFI Award nominations, including best film, screenplay and direction; a very limited release.
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