The Sum of Us (1995)

Sorry, this movie sucks

Must See Movie...

As Good As It Gets

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Sorry to burst everyone's bubble, but personally I found this film to be an almost total embarrassment in every way.The father bursts in (TWICE!) on his son while he's trying to get it on with a new guy he's met. Is that believable? Hardly. It's the kind of thing that a ten year old brother might do, not a parent, especially a parent who is gay-positive and hoping that his son will meet someone and have a serious affair.It's almost as embarrassing to watch the father meet a woman through a dating agency. The two of them act like they are 15 years old... and totally unnatural at that. When he decides to propose to her he actually gets down on one knee. If it were done tongue in cheek, maybe I could accept it, but it's done straight (pardon the pun).This film also has the bad habit of having the actors turn towards the camera and talk to the audience directly. Once or twice, maybe, but over and over again it totally breaks up the film and destroys any possibility of allowing the audience to get emotionally into what is happening. The worst moment in the film is when the father has had a stroke and is lying almost paralyzed in his bed. The son goes to get something, leaving the father alone, and all of a sudden he stops lying there like a vegetable, smiles, and starts chatting to the audience. It totally destroys any semblance of continuity and becomes annoying as hell by the end of the film.I suppose it's nice to have a film where some of the parents are understanding and (too) helpful to the gay son for a change, but does it have to be so adolescent in its presentation? There was only one thing in the entire film that was truly interesting, and that was what happened to the grandmother and her lover at the end of the film. Strangely enough, it doesn't even seem to fit in, but it makes the loudest statement for understanding than anything else in the film. In fact, I wish the film had been about the grandmother and her lover... that would have truly been ground-breaking and intriguing.

The Australian film "The Sum of Us," which was adapted by David Stevens from his own play, portrays the close relationship between a widowed father and his openly gay son. Although the play has been "opened up" in terms of breaking out of the stage production's single set, Stevens has retained several scenes in which the characters talk directly to the audience. A gimmick even on stage, these actors' asides to the viewer intrude on the story and, in one particular instance, completely destroy the reality of the situation. When an actor addresses the audience, he is saying in effect "this is only a movie and I am only an actor playing a part." However, despite this flaw, which is a serious one, the film offers two fine performances by Russell Crowe and Jack Thompson and an often-memorable story of love and the search for love.Although Harry Mitchell, played by Thompson, is an incredibly tolerant and understanding father, he is the proverbial "too much of a good thing." In his seemingly endless desire to see his son find the right mate, he is intrusive, overbearing, and completely oblivious to his own meddling. However, Thompson is such an amiable actor and imbues the character with so much charm that the viewer, like his son, has to forgive him anything. In an early role, young Russell Crowe already shows his range as an actor. Clad in short cutoffs throughout most of the film, Crowe also displays his physical charms as well for interested fans. While his looks are not classically handsome, his appeal is undeniable, and, to his credit, he does not play the character of Jeff with any hint of stereotypical gay mannerisms, and he is not averse to displaying affection towards another man.Although the movie follows Jeff's search for Mr. Right and Harry's search for Miss Right, the most touching and haunting scenes in the film and the play before it relate to the relationship that Harry's mother had with a woman named Mary. The two women lived and loved each other for 40 years before well meaning, but unintentionally cruel, relatives separated them "for their own good." The separation of his mother and her lover haunts Harry with the thoughts of what the two women discussed on their last night together, knowing that it was the last time that they would see each other. On stage, the story of the two women brought the audience to tears. Related visually on screen, the episode will haunt viewers as much as it did Harry.While certainly not a classic or even a groundbreaking film, "The Sum of Us" is competent, entertaining, warm, and full of hope that the world is moving in the right direction.

Russell Crowe's movie, The Sum of Us, can be found at Amazon.com for $12.95 (dvd version). They also have it on VHS, too. Available new or used...What is hilarious, is it has subtitles!?! The subtitles are in English, French & Spanish. According to the "powers to be" I need to have a minimum of ten lines or my "comment" won't be considered valid, so I'm trying to extend so I can share this info of where to find this movie with other film fans. A very cute looking Russell Crowe is on the cover...So what happened to him since then? Haven't checked Barnes & Noble's website for the film. I hope I don't get blocked for trying to make this entry long enough to be able to get the information out...

I have seen every movie Russell Crowe has ever appeared in and this is my absolute favourite.Forget gladiator,(which I liked,but felt he should have won the Oscar for A BEAUTIFUL MIND) and his other big Hollywood movies, if you want to see crowe at the top of his form watch this .His style is flawless as if he isn't acting at all which is I suppose the hallmark of great talent 'his ability to make it look so easy.The story is not a new one ,that elusive search for love we all have,only here the main character is gay.His dad played by Jack Thompson, is wonderful but a bit too enthusiastic about helping his son find Mr. Right which is where this movie veers off the beaten path.There are no secrets between father and son(a refreshing change to say the least) and russells date for the night seems overwhelmed that his father knows all about his lifestyle and does everything in his power to understand and help his son. John Polson plays greg(better known as Gary) russells date and his home life could not be different from that of Jeffs(russells character). I don't want to give too much away suffice to say this movie makes you laugh(dripping taps come to mind) and cry(the hospital scene for one).I have never felt so compelled to promote a movie as this one so please everyone go out and buy this you'll love it. Also heaven's burning my second favourite Russell Crowe movie.