- Actors: Jack Thompson, Russell Crowe, John Polson, Deborah Kennedy, Joss Moroney
- Directors: Geoff Burton, Kevin Dowling
- Writers: David Stevens
- Producers: Kevin Dowling, Donald Scatena, Errol Sullivan, Hal Kessler, Hal McElroy
- Format: NTSC, Import
- Number of tapes: 1
- MPAA Rating:
- Studio: Evergreen Ent
- VHS Release Date: Jan 28 1997
- Run Time: 100 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
- ASIN: 6303619983
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon.com
Australia has no shortage of he-man actors. Tops on anybody's list would be Russell Crowe and bluff, burly Jack Thompson, neither of whom looks completely at ease without a pint of lager in his hand. Thus it's a brilliant touch to cast them together in a gay comedy--Crowe as an uncloseted young man looking for love, Thompson as his open-minded straight father, who's so eager to help his son find Mr. Right, he's actually a bit of an annoyance. The 1995 movie betrays its stage origins, especially when the characters turn to the camera to deliver conversational asides. And the one-joke premise of Thompson's unflagging enthusiasm for his son's sex life becomes almost as tiresome for the viewer as it does for the son. But it's an innocuous enough little movie, and the two actors bring their gruff likability into every scene. In retrospect, Crowe's future stardom looks blindingly obvious. --Robert Horton
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Interesting Russell Crowe
May 28 2012
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a 'very' early film starring a 'very' young Russell Crowe. After his recent films particularly the Gladiator film, it makes it somewhat difficult to see Crowe as a "poof" in Australia.
But the story works and the cast bring to light the acceptance and ignorance of gay life...especially "down Under".
Not the best film ever but intriguing to see Russell Crowe in this portrayal.
But the story works and the cast bring to light the acceptance and ignorance of gay life...especially "down Under".
Not the best film ever but intriguing to see Russell Crowe in this portrayal.
One to watch alone
July 9 2011
Format:DVD
This isn't a film to watch with company, as much of the dialogue is very rude and inappropriate, and it didn't need to be that way.
Jack Thompson is enjoyable to watch (aside from what comes out of his mouth at times), and Russell Crowe does a good job, but the film lacks depth for much of it, then beats the viewer over the head with moments that are supposed to be emotionally charged.
The bare bones of the film are good: a father who loves his son unconditionally and supports him and doesn't care if his son is gay or is purple with green polka dots; a son who loves his father and comes to realize he loves his father unconditionally as the son tries to keep up at work (he's a busy plumber) and walks the minefield of love.
The problem is in the details. For example?
The son's boyfriend lives a home life with his parents that seems extremely unbelievable (the boyfriend, for example, is always trying to pick a fight with his father while arguing his father is somehow against him) and the scenes are very poorly written, although I think the actors did the best they could with those awful scenes.
The trouble is, the boyfriend, his parents, and everyone else in the entire film (aside from the characters of Crowe and Thompson) are 110% completely unlikeable.
Also, the main characters split their time between talking to each other and talking directly to the camera, as though the camera was a character, but a half-witted character :-p
This film could've been SO much better.
The outdoor garden (park) scenes were nice tho, filmed near the Sydney Opera House, which can be seen as the camera pulls out/away at the very end. In case you love Aussie scenery like we do.
Jack Thompson is enjoyable to watch (aside from what comes out of his mouth at times), and Russell Crowe does a good job, but the film lacks depth for much of it, then beats the viewer over the head with moments that are supposed to be emotionally charged.
The bare bones of the film are good: a father who loves his son unconditionally and supports him and doesn't care if his son is gay or is purple with green polka dots; a son who loves his father and comes to realize he loves his father unconditionally as the son tries to keep up at work (he's a busy plumber) and walks the minefield of love.
The problem is in the details. For example?
The son's boyfriend lives a home life with his parents that seems extremely unbelievable (the boyfriend, for example, is always trying to pick a fight with his father while arguing his father is somehow against him) and the scenes are very poorly written, although I think the actors did the best they could with those awful scenes.
The trouble is, the boyfriend, his parents, and everyone else in the entire film (aside from the characters of Crowe and Thompson) are 110% completely unlikeable.
Also, the main characters split their time between talking to each other and talking directly to the camera, as though the camera was a character, but a half-witted character :-p
This film could've been SO much better.
The outdoor garden (park) scenes were nice tho, filmed near the Sydney Opera House, which can be seen as the camera pulls out/away at the very end. In case you love Aussie scenery like we do.
Good movie
Oct 22 2010
Format:DVD
I caught this movie on television, years ago and it had tugged at my heartstring. It had been translated in French, so when I found it on Amazon, I bought it. Let's say I wasn't dissapointed to watch it again and will do again in the future. I have to, since the sound track isn't the best, with the Australian accent making it even harder to understand but I don't care! I like the story that made me smile if not down right laugh. It also jerk my emotions to see the father/son relationship. I've rarely seen that kind of attachement, the respect and the underlying love between a dad and his son. It does exist, because I've seen it in other family but never having lived it myself, you tend to envy others when you see it. Probably why I liked this film in the first place.
Ghislain Desjardins
Ghislain Desjardins
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Most recent customer reviews
"Ashamed of Jeff? Never."
Twenty-something Jeff Mitchell (Russell Crowe) is a gay plumber and footie player who lives with his father, Harry (Jack Thompson). Read more
Published on Aug 16 2007 by Kona
Review of "The Sum of Us" by Cheri
"The Sum of Us" is a beautiful story about the unconditional love between a widowed father, Harry (Jack Thompson), and his openly gay son, Jeff (Russell Crowe). Read more
Published on April 8 2004 by Cheri Crystal
A Dream Come True!
This movie touched every part of me. The relationship between Jeff (Russell Crowe)and his father Harry (Jack Thompson) is every gay man's dream... Read more
Published on Mar 1 2004 by "skatingcat"
One of the sweetest movies ever
I LOVE this movie and have watched it countless times. Its funny, sad, touching, hilarious, sweet, and in general a feel good movie. Read more
Published on Jan 6 2004 by Plano Man
JUST GREAT!!
Yes, I loved it... I watched it on VHS when it was released here in Italy last year (never broadcasted on tv, never released before on VHS or DVD, had to order it from an italian... Read more
Published on Dec 29 2003 by CASTELLANI PERELLI MA
"nice" film
No, it's not about a "son and daddy" relationship (you know what I mean). It's about a single father and his (real) son - and the amazingly supportive relationship they... Read more
Published on Oct 28 2003 by M. Zummo
An unexpected pleasure
At first "The Sum of Us" seems like a familiar variation on the bossy parent-rebellious child theme, albeit a fairly entertaining one. Read more
Published on Oct 27 2003 by klavierspiel
Upbeat and enjoyable
The films quality is good and the story enjoyable. The acting is great and it leaves you feeling good. Read more
Published on Sep 11 2003 by T. Hulse
Brilliant!
This is a very moving story. I hadn't heard of this movie in the US even though the movie has been around for a while. Kudos to the director for this movie. Read more
Published on July 23 2003 by "desidash"
truly touching
i saw this movie on tv years ago and almost forgot about it until it resurfaced on dvd. at the time i had no idea who russell crowe was, but i do remember that this movie really... Read more
Published on July 23 2003 by Dustin Merton
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