Siam Sunset (1999)A dangerously funny romantic adventure
CAST AND CREDITS:
Directed by: John Polson
Writing credits: Max Dann and Andrew Knight
Cast (in credits order):
Linus Roache - Perry
Danielle Cormack - Grace
Ian Bliss - Martin
Roy Billing - Bill Leach
Alan Brough - Stuart Quist
Rebecca Hobbs - Jane
Terry Kenwrick - Arthur Droon
Deidre Rubenstein - Celia Droon
Heidi Glover - Stephanie Droon
Peter Hosking - Roy Wentworth
Victoria Eagger - Rowena Wentworth
Lachlan Standing - Ben Wentworth
Esme Melville - Dot
Choung Dao - Mr Nguyen
Alan Lovell - Stan Porter
Robert Menzies - Eric
Eliza Lovell - Michelle
Arthur Percival - Harold
Victoria Hill - Maree
Roger Cardwell - Mr Waugh
Nick Sampson - Newsreader
Ian Bolt - Sportsreader
Dominic Pedlar - Paint Factory worker
Charlie Barnes - Bingo Caller
Marlo Grocke - Surgery Receptionist
Paul Simpson - Les
Scarlett - The Mangy Dog
Produced by: Peter Beilby (executive), Al Clark, Andrew Knight (executive)
Original music by: Paul Grabowsky
Cinematography by: Brian J. Breheny
Film Editing by: Nicholas Beauman
Casting: Ann Robinson
Production Design by: Steven Jones-Evans
Art Direction: Richard Hobbs
Costume Design by: Louise Wakefield
First Assistant Director: Phil Jones
Supervising Sound Editor: Andrew Plain
Sound: John Schiefelbein
Still Photographer: Philip Le Mesurier
Runtime: Australia, 91 minutes.
Country: Australia.
Language: English.
Colour: Colour: (Atlab).
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital.
Certification: Australia: M.
Production Companies: Channel Four Films (aka Film Four International)(aka Channel 4 TV) [uk] Showtime Australia, Artist Services, New South Wales Film and Television Office [au], Australian Film Finance Corporation [au], South Australian Film Corporation [au]
Distributor: United International Pictures (UIP) (Australia)
Release Dates: Country Date Australia 9 September 1999, Hungary 8 October 1999, New Zealand 3 February 2000, Portugal 26 February 2000, Germany 23 March 2000BUSINESS INFORMATION:
Production Dates: 7 September 1998 - 24 October 1998.
Filming Studio Location: South Australian Film Corp., Hendon Park, Adelaide, Australia.
Other Filming Locations: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, Coober Pedy, South Australia, Australia
Awards and Nominations
Nominated for Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards 1999
Best Achievement in Editing, Nicholas Beauman
Best Achievement in production design, Steven Jones-Evans
Best Film, Al Clark
Best Original Screenplay, Max Dann and Andrew Knight
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Roy BillingNominated for Australian Guild of Screen Composers Award 1999: Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award, Paul Grabowsky
Fantosporto Film Festival Awards 2000:
Won International Fantasy Film Award and Best Actress, Danielle Cormack
Best Film, John Polson
Best Screenplay, Max Dann and Andrew KnightHawaii International Film Festival 1999:
Won Golden Maile Award for Best Feature, John Polson
Awards and Nominations for John Polson:
Won AFI Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for: The Boys (1997)
Won Byron Kennedy Award in 1997
Nominated for AFI Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for: Sum of Us, The (1994)
Nominated for AFI Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for: Prisoners of the Sun (1990)BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS:
Printed Media Reviews:
Stratton, David. 'Siam Sunset'. In Variety (USA). Vol. 375, Iss. 3, 31 May 1999. Pg.31 (MG).
Conlan, Pat, Movie Trader, page/s: 18-19, Aug 1999, Review Credits, Synopsis.
ONLINE PRESENCE: reviews etc..
ABC Online: http://www.abc.net.au/
Australian Film Commission: http://www.afc.gov.au
Australian Film Institute: http://www.cinemedia.net/AFI/
The Official Unofficial Whippet Web Site: http://www.geocities.com/thetropics/island/8587/
Greg King: http://us.imdb.com/Reviews/204/2042
John Polson Home Page: http://www.emucities.com.au/member/johnpolson (unable to access)
Filmink-Online Reviews: http://www.filmink-online.com/hbs.cgi?movie=2205
Sarah Barnett: http://www.anglicanmediasydney.asn.au/cal/SiamSunset.htm
Inside Out: http://www.insideout.co.uk/eiff/movies3/siamsunset.htm
My Movies: http://www.mymovies.net/features/urbancinefile/reviews/link_p-t.htm
Urban Cinephile: http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/
INFORMATION COLLECTION:
Information on the film was quite elusive. In my searches, I tried punching in the keywords 'Siam Sunset' and 'John Polson'. These searches would return mostly useless documents with a very brief mention, if at all, of the film or director. In my research, I found the most valuable site by far, to be The Internet Movie Database site which I accessed at: http://us.imdb.com
More specifically the Siam Sunset page was accessible at: http://us.imdb.com/Title?0178022
The IMDB featured a page on the film with cast, crew and business details as well as links to other sources of information. Other links included The Official Unofficial Whippet Web Site at: http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Island/8587/
and the John Polson Home Page at: http://www.emucities.com.au/member/johnpolson/
John Polson's page I was particularly looking forward to using as a source of information. But, unfortunately, it was inaccessible no matter how many (different) times I tried to hit it.
Other useful pages included the Urban Cinephile site, which is at: http://www.urbancinephile.com.au
and the Australian Film Institute (AFI) page at: http://www.cinemedia.net/AFI/
and the Australian Film Commission (AFC)page at: http://www.cinemedia.net/AFI/
Also, I attempted to find sites for Variety, The Australian and The West Australian. All of these contained only very recent information and I could not get past reviews, interviews, etc.. Although, I managed to access bibliographical information for David Stratton's article in Variety through the IMDB. Judging by appearance, Siam Sunset seems to be somewhat of a 'sleeper'. There seemed to be a lack of information on the film in general, perhaps due to the fact that it was released only locally (Australia and New Zealand) and in Europe, with no general American release (although it did feature at US film festivals). However, the information I have been able to gather was very helpful and quite detailed. It was, however, from only a few sources. There is a considerable amount of information on Siam Sunset in circulation, but it is from only a few sources with the most helpful being the IMDB.
Critical Review of Film and its Literature
Despite its deceptive title, Siam Sunset is a brilliant and truly original Australian feature .Siam Sunset is a great piece of filmmaking from one of our number one acting talents, John Polson, who has taken the reins of director on this, his debut directing feature.
The film focuses on Perry Roberts (Linus Roache), an English industrial chemist who works for a paint company and lives 'somewhere in England' with his beautiful wife, Marie. Life seems to be going well for Perry, until the day a fridge falls from the sky (it was dropped from an airplane) and kills his wife. Sound bizarre?, this is just the beginning of Perry's bad luck. After this event Perry becomes a magnet for bad luck, it seems that the 'universe' is against him.
Perry's life becomes unbearable as he finds it impossible to cope with the death of his one true love. Perry spends his days attempting to concoct the colour which he has named 'Siam Sunset'. A title which comes from, as Perry explains, a colour he saw in his wife's hair on a beach in Thailand. Unfortunately, it is 'in his head' and he cannot find the right mix to create the colour that he says represents 'peace'. So this becomes the motivation and symbol of the film. Perry's quest is to find 'Siam Sunset'.
Perry's luck seems to change when he wins a free trip to 'sunny Australia' at a bingo night he attends with his father. Perry reluctantly agrees to go and finds himself on the Whippet Bus Tour. On the bus Perry meets a plethora of quirky and eccentric ocker Aussies who amuse the audience, and irritate Perry.
The tour driver, Bill Leach is a quirky old 'ocker' Aussie bloke who is in constant competition with Stan Porter (Alan Lovell), who drives the luxurious Porter Coachlines bus. Porter's luxury coach is contrasted to the rusty bucket of bolts that is the Whippet bus, and throughout the film Bill tries (but fails) to outdo Porter.
The passengers include Roy and Arthur, two very Australian middle aged men engaged in a constant battle of oneupmanship between each other. Stuart Quist is a friendly although irritating character who describes himself as a 'singer/songwriter' and, throughout the film plays some shocking songs that provide the film with some of its comedy.
Further along the way we meet Grace (Danielle Cormack) who has left her abusive drug dealing boyfriend Martin (Ian Bliss) and taken a wad of his cash. Her car breaks down and she boards the bus, thereby providing Perry with a romantic love interest.
Grace's open and carefree personality is in direct opposition to Perry's resigned and reserved nature. After awhile Perry opens himself up and the two begin the makings of a romance. Perry woos Grace with his ability to recreate the colour of her shirt with mashed potatoes, juice and tomato sauce and from then on the chemistry develops. However, things once again begin their downward slide when Martin tracks Grace down and joins the tour bus himself.
In an attempt to beat Porter to a tour destination, Bill Leach crashes the bus. All of the passengers survive but Martin receives serious burns. From then on they must trek on foot to Eric's Roadhouse. When they arrive the trouble begins as the badly wounded Martin regains consciousness. During this time, Perry barters with Eric, by offering to paint the roadhouse in exchange for accommodation. In a particularly gory (and wildly hilarious) scene, Martin meets his end and they all agree to bury him in the barren outback surrounding Eric's.
While painting, Perry thinks he has unlocked the key to 'Siam Sunset' but fails. However, during the night the 'almighty' that has been so undeniably against him for the whole film whips up the concoction through divine intervention.This allows Perry to let go and finally be at 'peace'. The Whippet's passengers (as well as Eric and his wife) leave on Porter's coach. Perry and Grace stay at Eric's and the film ends with them relaxing on their recliners as fridges fall from the sky around them.
Siam Sunset works so well on so many levels. The basic premise for the film is overcoming tragedy, while the film is essentially about man against the 'universe'. As the tagline proclaims, 'In the battle against man and the universe...back the universe'. Special congratulations should be afforded to scriptwriters Max Dann and Andrew Knight for writing such a darkly original script, and to John Polson for bringing it to life with such vibrancy.
CRITICISM
Criticism of the film seems to have been quite mixed. Andrew L. Urban described the film as 'accomplished,warm and unmistakably Australian, Siam Sunset will recharge your batteries without insulting your intelligence." Louise Keller describes the film as "black and quirky, Siam Sunset sparkles with originality, and is peppered with enough black humour to displace your epicentre'. Furthermore, Paul Fischer says 'it's a beautiful film to watch, as well as a glorious one to listen to. It's funny, sexy, intelligent and deliciously rewarding. Indeed, a journey well worth travelling.'
However, Sarah Barnett described the film by saying 'Siam Sunset is a surreal sort of anti-romance, romantic comedy designed to make you squirm, gape and giggle. This is a film that tries really hard to entertain and squeeze a smirk out of most moments. But, if you're anything like me, it may leave you a little cold'. Furthermore, Greg King says 'Siam Sunset shows potential, but its dry humour sometimes falls flat, and the outrageous sequence of events are not always convincing. This is one sunset that will not please everybody'.
Seemingly, most criticism has been complimentary. The film has been praised for its originality and as an impressive debut for John Polson as director. Notably, the film has received awards and nominations both in and outside of Australia. However, some critics believe it narrowly misses the mark.
In my view, the film is truly impressive. The theme is ostensibly about finding 'peace' in a world of chaos. The film sets up this theme and brilliantly negotiates it towards a resolution.
In the beginning, Perry is living the perfect life. When that life is taken away from him, he becomes a magnet for bad luck and resigns himself to a life of misfortune. The universe is against him. The disasters keep coming thick and fast, and are juxtaposed against the peace of his former life. However, in the end Perry finds resolve. Once he has found 'Siam Sunset' he can find peace in a world of chaos.
The multi-generic nature of the film brilliantly illustrates this. The fact that the film has a range of romantic to comedic to terribly brutal (although darkly comic, rather than shocking) moments is in its favour. In this way the film really works. In other romantic comedies, black comedies etc., the narrative is so often ineffective because the film is so concentrated in the genre, anything that is not part of the generic convention is negated. Siam Sunset crosses many genre boundaries and in the process illustrates the ambiguity of peace in chaotic world. Which is illustrated well as Perry and Grace relax in their recliners while fridges fall from the sky in the finale. The fact that the film does not rely on one genre but several genres is its greatest strength.
The editing in the film is superb and serves to heighten the comedic elements. Beauman's economical editing is another plus. The pace of the film is kept constant and the film does not lull at any point.
The performances in the film are top notch. Linus Roache is perfectly cast as the resigned and vulnerable Perry, while Danielle Cormack also puts in a solid performance as Grace, who is wild and spirited. Some critics have focused on the lack of chemistry between Roache and Cormack. In my opinion, the lack of chemistry between the characters is one of the elements that makes the film work. The fact that such polar opposites get together consolidates the film's theme of the ambiguous nature of the 'universe'.
Ian Bliss brilliantly melds intelligence with intensity as Martin. He is a drug dealing abusive brute, who also happens to be a doctor who has 'taken three courses in constructive interaction'. Roy Billing is also charming as Bill 'that's the one rule I do have' Leach. Billing's Leach is at his most hilarious when he is squaring off against Perry the 'whinging pom' and trying to outdo Stan Porter.
Brian Breheny's cinematography is very well done. In a fashion similar to Priscilla, the camera highlights the harsh barren state of Australia's outback. Similarly, Paul Grabowsky's score is hauntingly beautiful and aptly captures the theme and spirit of the film.
PRODUCTION
Andrew L. Urban discusses how the film 'mysteriously pursued' Polson. Polson explains 'Siam Sunset (written by Knight and writing partner Max Dann) had been lying around for a while, without a director attached. I read it and saw it had some very interesting things to say, and I wanted to do it, but Andrew said no. It's too big, couldn't raise the money with a first time director "no hard feelings."
A year later, Southern Star showed interest in Polson directing. Polson edited and shortened the script. Producer Al Clark came aboard and the film was on its way.
Sunset was made in 38 days, and Clark explains 'we had to tailor it to fit the money. Amazingly, it doesn't feel like we've cut corners, yet every day we had to work out how to do things in less time and for less money than seemed possible".
During the casting, Polson auditioned 300 actors. Polson admits that after he met Linus Roache he 'couldn't see anyone else in the role. He's vulnerable, funny and I felt you would believe his wife has been killed a week ago. He has that ability . . . he didn't look like he was acting". Polson also admits that he gave the film everything he had for a year before even making it. Clearly, Polson's commitment was worth it.
The score by Paul Grabowsky is a hauntingly beautiful addition to the film, as is Brian Breheny's cinematography. Polson confides that 'he wanted everyone on the film to fight for their area. I wanted the film to pull their best work'. Furthermore, Polson confides that during editing he was "tougher than the editor. I cut it right down" it runs 92 minutes. I didn't wince to cut two days work out. You can say a lot about the film, but you can't ever say it's too slow!'
PREVIOUS CREDITS
Before Siam Sunset, Polson was already one of Australia's finest actors and had an impressive list of credits including The Sum Of Us, The Boys, Idiot Box and Sirens. Interestingly, he will be soon appearing opposite Australia's favourite son-in-law Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible 2, which was shot in Sydney. Although Siam Sunset marked his first attempt at directing a full feature, in 1994 Polson directed the short film What's Going On With Frank?
Cinematographer Brian Breheny is certainly no stranger to big Australian features. Some of his other credits include Dear Claudia and The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert. Similarly, producer Al Clark also worked on Priscilla amongst other projects. Scriptwriter Max Dann's credits include the brilliant Spotswood and the charming comedy The Big Steal.
Linus Roache is an accomplished actor who has received acclaim for such films as The Priest.
VALUE
Siam Sunset is a vibrant film, strikingly original and overall very effective. The film did considerably well critically with only a small percent of critics asserting that the film missed the mark. Siam Sunset deserves its own place as a part of Australian cinematic history.
AUSTRALIAN CINEMA
The film did not appear to have as large an audience as it deserved. Perhaps due to the fact that it is part of Australia's 'medium-sized English language cinema'(O'Regan, 1996: 77) that 'has a minor place in the international trade in national symbolic images'(O'Regan, 1996: 77). However, the film did considerably well at Cannes and other film festivals around the globe.
Tom O'Regan explains that 'every national cinema attempts at some point to turn its national distinction into an asset not a liability' (O'Regan, 1996: 65). This is certainly the case in Siam Sunset. The quirky characters and barren landscape are undeniably Australian and the charm of the film is evident.
The film is a brilliant illustration of the diversity of Australian cinema in the 1990s. The inclusion of an overseas star, English actor Linus Roache, consolidates the films international connection, while its multi-generic form consolidates its diversity. The film harks back to the 'ocker' genre, while bearing closer links to the Crocodile Dundee films. Rather than presenting coarse characters, the film portrays its Aussies as lovable oddballs. As Croc capitalised on the charm of the lovable 'ocker' Mick Dundee, so does Siam Sunset with its quirky cast.
If 'Australian cinema relies on innovation' (O'Regan, 1996: 106) then Siam Sunset is a roaring success. It is the most innovative, darkly comic and highly original Australian film that I have seen in a long time and is a welcome addition to Australian cinematic history.
REFERENCES:
O'Regan, Tom, 1996, Australian National Cinema, Routledge, London.