Mullet (film)

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Mullet
File:Mullet DVDcover.jpg
Directed by David Caesar
Produced by Vincent Sheehan
Written by David Caesar
Starring Ben Mendelsohn
Susie Porter
Music by Paul Healy
Cinematography Bob Humphreys
Release dates
Australia
28 June 2001 (2001-06-28)
Running time
89 minutes
Country Australia
Language English

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

In the film, Eddie (Ben Mendelsohn) 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 in to the lives of those he left, including his ex-girlfriend Tully (Susie Porter) and brother Pete (Andrew Gilbert). 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.

Production

The film was based on a short story written by writer-director David Caesar. Caesar and Producer Vincent Sheehan stated that the budget for the film was approximately A$1 million. The film was shot in its entirety in the town of Kiama over four weeks in June 2000. Originally, Sheehan had intended to shoot interiors in Sydney, but found the cost of doing so was prohibitive within the film's budget. Production benefitted from the involvement of the local residents and the community, including the Kiama Knights rugby league club and cameo performances by Mick Cronin and Steve Starling, both well known Australian television personalities.[1] While shooting was undertaken on a tight schedule, in it was eight years from first concept to completion.[2]

Total box office has been reported as A$1,157,161.[3]

Cast

Actor Character
Ben Mendelsohn Eddie 'Mullet' Maloney
Susie Porter Tully
Andrew Gilbert Peter Maloney
Belinda McClory Kay
Tony Barry Col
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)

Awards and nominations

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

Mullet grossed $1,165,606 at the box office in Australia,.[4]

See also

References

  1. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. Mullet website, “It can take a long time to get a movie up in Australia”. Retrieved January 2008
  3. Murdoch University Culture & Communication Reading Room - Megan Johnson, 2004, Mullet, 2004. Retrieved January 2008
  4. Film Victoria - Australian Films at the Australian Box Office

External links