Mullet (film)
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| Mullet | |
|---|---|
 2001 VHS cover | |
| Directed by | David Caesar |
| Written by | David Caesar |
| Produced by | Vincent Sheehan |
| Starring | Ben Mendelsohn Susie Porter |
| Cinematography | Bob Humphreys |
| Music by | Paul Healy |
Release date |
|
Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1 million[1] |
| Box office | $1.5 million approx.[2][3] |
Mullet is an Australian film released in 2001, written and directed by David Caesar, and starring Ben Mendelsohn, Susie Porter and Andrew Gilbert.
Plot summary
[edit]In the film, Eddie returns to his home town on the south coast of New South Wales. Having left for the city without explanation 3 years ago, he tries to pick up the pieces of his life and fit back into the lives of those he left, including his ex-girlfriend Tully and brother Pete. The title of the film comes from Eddie's nickname and from his attempts to make a living poaching mullet.
The film succeeds in a very human portrayal of the difficulties in living on the fringe of a close-knit community. The drama of the developing relationships is supported by very dry comedy (archetypical Australian humour) and detailed but understated design.
Cast
[edit]| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Ben Mendelsohn | Eddie 'Mullet' Maloney |
| Susie Porter | Tully |
| Andrew Gilbert | Peter Maloney |
| Belinda McClory | Kay |
| Tony Barry | Col Maloney |
| Kris McQuade | Gwen |
| Peta Brady | Robbie |
| Wayne Blair | James |
| Paul Kelman | Gary |
| Steve Le Marquand | Jones |
| Aaron Blabey | Terry |
| Jim Webb | Big Bloke |
| Nash Edgerton | Winger |
| Bryan Brown | Publican (voice) |
Production
[edit]The film is based on a short story written by Caesar, who grew up on the South Coast of New South Wales. It was shot mostly in Kiama over four weeks in June 2000, with a budget of approximately A$1 million. From conception to completion, the process of making Mullet took eight years.[4][5]
Filming locations include Chapman Oval at Blowhole Point, the fish shop at Kiama Harbour, Kiama Police Station and Seven Mile Beach. Originally, Sheehan had intended to shoot interiors in Sydney, but found the cost of doing so was prohibitive within the film's budget.
Cameos include Bryan Brown as the voice of the never-seen publican, Steve Starling as a mullet wrangler and Australian rugby league player Mick Cronin on the steps of his Cronin’s Hotel in the town of Gerringong. The Kiama Knights rugby league club were also involved in production.[6]
Awards and nominations
[edit]AFI Awards, 2001
- Nominated: Best Actor
- Nominated: Best Supporting Actor
- Nominated: Best Supporting Actress
- Nominated: Best Director
- Nominated: Best Original Screenplay
Australian Screen Sound Guild, 2001
- Won: Best Achievement in Sound for a Feature Film – Dialogue & ADR Editing
Australian Writers' Guild, 2001
- Won: Awgie Award – Feature Film – Original
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards, 2001
- Won: Best Screenplay – Original
- Won: Best Supporting Actor – Male
- Nominated: Best Actor – Male
- Nominated: Best Director
- Nominated: Best Film
- Nominated: Best Supporting Actor – Female
Shanghai International Film Festival, 2001
- Won: Best Director
Box office
[edit]Mullet grossed approximately $1.5 million at the box office in Australia.[7][8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Mullet website, “It can take a long time to get a movie up in Australia Archived 31 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine”. Retrieved January 2008
- ^ Murdoch University Culture & Communication Reading Room – Megan Johnson, 2004, Mullet Archived 25 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine, 2004. Retrieved January 2008
- ^ "Film Victoria – Australian Films at the Australian Box Office" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
- ^ Mullet website, “It can take a long time to get a movie up in Australia Archived 31 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine”. Retrieved January 2008
- ^ Stratton, David (15 May 2001). "Mullet". Variety. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ Sheehan, Vincent. "On location in Coollawarra". Porchlight Films. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
- ^ Murdoch University Culture & Communication Reading Room – Megan Johnson, 2004, Mullet Archived 25 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine, 2004. Retrieved January 2008
- ^ "Film Victoria – Australian Films at the Australian Box Office" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
External links
[edit]- Review by John Flaus: An Impressionist Work: Mullet, senses of cinema, 2001. Retrieved January 2008
- Official website
- Mullet at the National Film and Sound Archive
- Mullet at IMDb
- Mullet at Oz Movies