Mr. Reliable
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| Mr. Reliable | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Nadia Tass |
| Written by | Don Catchlove Terry Hayes |
| Produced by | Jim McElroy |
| Starring | Colin Friels |
| Distributed by | PolyGram Filmed Entertainment |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 112 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $266,329 (Australia))[1] |
Mr. Reliable (also known as My Entire Life[2]) is a 1996 film directed by Nadia Tass. It stars Colin Friels and Jacqueline McKenzie.[3]
Plot[edit]
It tells the true story of Wally Mellish, an ex-convict in 1960s Australia. Just released from prison, all he wants to do is live a quiet life with his girlfriend Beryl. A misunderstanding, quickly gets out of control, when two police officers pay him a visit, resulting in Wally, Beryl and her child being trapped in their house. Surrounded by armed police, the community is under the impression that Wally is holding everyone hostage. Events quickly spiral into a media circus as, through the siege, Wally - inadvertently - manages to become a symbol for the anti-war movement.
Cast[edit]
- Colin Friels as Wally Mellish
- Jacqueline McKenzie as Beryl Muddle
- Ken Radley as Mr. Morgan
- Amanda Muggleton as Mrs. Morgan
- Graham Rouse as Fred
- Jonathan Hardy as Reverend McIntyre
- Elaine Cusick as Mrs. McIntyre
- Frank Gallacher as Don Ferguson
- Paul Sonkkila as Norm Allan
- Susie Porter as Fay
- Gerry Skilton as Reggie Muddle
- Lisa Hensley as Penny Wilbeforce
- Barry Otto as The Premier
- Geoff Morrell
- Sam Atwell
Production[edit]
Terry Hayes was attached to produce the film. He showed a script to Nadia Tass, who liked the story and the characters but wanted it rewritten. Hayes made the changes and Tass came on board to direct.[4] Also released as My Entire Life.
Release[edit]
The film opened in the UK on 22 November 1996. It opened in Australia on 30 January 1997 on 64 screens and grossed $139,939 in its opening week, placing 14th at the Australian box office.[5] It went on to gross $266,329 in Australia.[1]
Reception[edit]
The independent critic Adrian Martin said of the film: "with its cute animal jokes, lovable ordinary folks and little-battler pathos, Mr Reliable is the kind of film today labelled Capraesque – except that Frank Capra never made a film as mushy or flabby as this."[6]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Australian Films at the Australian Box Office" Film Victoria. Retrieved 14 November 2012
- ^ "Mr Reliable - The Nile". www.thenile.com.au. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ "Mr. Reliable (1996) - Nadia Tass | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie".
- ^ "Interview with Nadia Tass", Signis, 31 May 1996, 31 August 1998, 3-4 November 1998 Archived 4 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 21 November 2012
- ^ "Australia Top 15". Screen International. 14 February 1997. p. 47.
$106,824; $1=A$1.31
- ^ "Film Critic: Adrian Martin". www.filmcritic.com.au. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
External links[edit]
- Mr. Reliable at IMDb
- Mr Reliable at Oz Movies
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