Rating: 
Summary: "The Sum of Us" adds up to success!
Review: This romantic comedy has more than one twist in store for the viewer! Harry (a widower) and his son Jeff are both looking for romantic love but the film explores love relationships far beyond this realm; managing to touch on love between father and son, and via Harry's mother, brought to life in flash back scenes. Russell Crowe plays Jeff, who just happens to be a young gay plumber looking for a partner. The film gains credibility from the fact that 'Jeff' is not the stereotypical gay character and 'Harry', his father, is far from the stereotypical dad. Jeff does not want his life defined by one thing--just being gay. He wants far more out of life and a life partner. Both Russell Crowe and Jack Thompson deliver powerfull performances as father and son and will have you laughing and cheering both of them on in their pursuit of love; but perhaps shedding some tears as well, as their own love for each other is put to the test! Don't miss this fantastic Australian film!
Rating:
Summary: Russell Crowe at his absolute best
Review: This was the first movie I had seen Russell Crowe in, and I have been in complete awe of him ever since. This movie is a touching story of a father and son both trying to find love, and the difficulties they both have. The father, Harry (Jack Thompson), is a fifty-something widower who, after being single for many years, turns to a computerized dating service to find a special someone. Jeff (Russell Crowe) is a young gay man trying to find his match among the gay community.Harry finds Joyce, a divorcee about his age, and spends most of the movie romancing her. Jeff, however, finds and looses Greg, a young man who has chosen to hide his homosexuality from a judgemental father. Greg finds the openness between Harry and Jeff to be too much for him, and he avoids Jeff, depsite the obvious attraction they share. Tragedy strikes, and changes everything, but the movies still ends with a smile. The movie never looses it's lighthearted feel; even the serious scenes are relatively short and are quickly followed by a quip or two to make you smile again. This sends across a strong message that we shouldn't take life too seriously, even the rough spots, because it's just too short. This movie would definitely be a shock to most of the recent Crowe converts, since all of his most popular American releases have involved him as a man's man, rough and just sensitive enough to win the girl. Seeing this movie in a rare appearance on cable TV, my brother (who supports homosexuality if he doesn't have to see any PDAs) turned to me and said it was such a good movie he didn't even care about seeing two men kissing. He and I both found it amazing that this often-publicized womanizer could play a gay man as convincingly as he did. If you are a Russell Crowe fan, this movie is a must see. His performance, as well as that of the other actors, is astounding. While I don't mind having to buy it secondhand, I would think that re-releasing this movie would be a huge business move on any studio's part, and it would help Crowe's newest converts to appreciate him that much more.
Rating:
Summary: Russell Crowe's best movie, a gem all must see
Review: What better film to see for Father's Day than this magnificent little film starring two acting masters, with some absolutely wonderful supporting actors as well? Young Russell Crowe fought to be hired to star in this movie, and it was a smart move. He shows us a real person - probably more real than in any of his other movies - in a story with the Ultimate Message: What goes around, comes around. Act in a loving manner, and you will be rewarded. Add to the clever dialogue, the gorgeous Sydney scenery, the masterful acting and the wonderful father-son theme the fact that it is a brilliantly-crafted work of art. The flash-backs of the grandmothers are stunning and as moving as anything I have ever seen in a movie. Put it all together and you have a feel-good treat. A joy. And the world would be an infinitely better place if everyone on earth were to see this important film.
Rating: 
Summary: A love story between a father and a son
Review: Would that either of my parents had loved me this well. Yes, Jeff is gay! But that's not the story -- the story is the relationship between a young man and his father. If you love the gay "tones" in the film, fine. If you don't, fast forward thru them, but you owe yourself the opportunity to watch this father / son relationship.
Rating:
Summary: An Underrated, Bittersweet Comedic Drama With Russell Crowe
Review: Years before Russell Crowe won the Oscar for Best Actor for the 2000 film "Gladiator" and received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for the 2001 film "A Beautiful Mind", he starred in the lesser-known, 1994 Australian film "The Sum of Us". Adapted by David Stevens from his own off-Broadway play of the same name, "The Sum of Us" is the story of a widowed father, Harry Mitchell (Harry Thompson, who played in the 1980 film "Breaker Morant" and the 2002 film "Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones"), and his rugby-playing, 24-year-old gay son, Jeff Mitchell (Russell Crowe). The two maintain a strong father-son bond, but each is searching to find companionship and happiness while continuing to contend with the death of Jeff's mother. Harry, who is a ferryboat captain, does much of the cooking and housework for himself and Jeff, and is completely accepting of his son's sexual orientation. Jeff, who works as a plumber, assists his father around the house that they share while struggling to find descent men to date. One night, Jeff meets someone, Greg (John Polson), and brings him home on a date. Harry's enthusiasm for Jeff actually having a date encourages him to benevolently intrude on their time together. After Harry finally leaves, Jeff and Greg begin to share some intimacy, but a final interruption from the well-meaning Harry ends their date prematurely. Greg, who cannot be open about his sexuality with his own parents, becomes uncomfortable in the unaccustomed, but accepting environment of the Mitchell's home. Harry, who also makes efforts to find love, meets the divorcée Joyce Johnson (Deborah Kennedy). A strong romance develops between them, but when Joyce inadvertently discovers that Jeff is gay, she leaves Harry. Shortly thereafter, Harry suffers a severe stroke that leaves him mostly paralyzed and unable to speak, but Jeff takes care of him. Jeff hasn't forgotten about Greg, whose life has also changed. Sadly, "The Sum of Us" received little attention in the U.S. following its release and no Oscar recognition, but it did win the Australian Film Institute (AFI) award for Best Adapted Screenplay. It was also nominated by the AFI for Best Film, Best Editing and Best Sound, and John Polson was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, as was Deborah Kennedy for Best Supporting Actress. Overall, I rate "The Sum of Us" with 5 out of 5 stars. I applaud writer David Stevens and co-directors Geoff Burton and Kevin Dowling for their portrayal of an affirmative relationship between a father and his gay son in a bittersweet comedic drama. The film sends a positive message to the audience regarding tolerance and acceptance, while simultaneously showing the pain endured when intolerance and misunderstanding are allowed to destroy.
Rating:
Summary: JUST GREAT!!
Review: 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 internet site, it was in English with italian subtitles..). I was ordering Other Ways of Speaking on amazon yesterday, when on the "suggestions list" appeared the The sum of us on DVD! That was a GREAT suggestion! I added it immediately to my wish list and I just can't wait to watch it again on digital quality!! my favourite scenes are the one in which jeff reminds about 'that woman on the train' and the flashback about jeff's grandmother.. they just take the breath away.. I recommend it to everyone... bye bye!!! Marco
Rating:
Summary: JUST GREAT!!
Review: 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 internet site, it was in English with italian subtitles..). I was ordering Other Ways of Speaking on amazon yesterday, when on the "suggestions list" appeared the The sum of us on DVD! That was a GREAT suggestion! I added it immediately to my wish list and I just can't wait to watch it again on digital quality!! my favourite scenes are the one in which jeff reminds about 'that woman on the train' and the flashback about jeff's grandmother.. they just take the breath away.. I recommend it to everyone... bye bye!!! Marco
Rating:
Summary: One of the Greatest Movies I Watched
Review: You will learn so much from watching this movie about many different kinds of great human relationships we take for granted. It is very touchy as well as funny with a very nice happy ending. You will get to learn that the greatest adventure of all is to explore the human heart regardless of your sexual orientation from Russell Crowe's great performance. If you are Russell Crowe fan, it is a must-see movie!
| 
