• Original Music
  • Theatrical Release Dates : Country Date
  • DVD Release
  • Distributor
  • Australian Box Office Rank
  • Kriv Stenders, Director and Co-Writer (Screenplay)
  • David Snell, Author (Novel) and and Co-Writer (Screenplay)
  • Severed Heads, Group that made the soundtrack
  • Samuel Johnson, Lead Actor
  • ABC’s Triple J Film Review
  • Search South Australia Review
  • Producers’ and Directors’ Guild of Victoria Review
  • Circumstances of Production
  • Circumstances of Release
  • Filmography Kriv Stenders
  • Colin Friels Filmography
  • Jessica Napier Filmography
  • Cast and crew




    Download 118.5 Kb.
    Sana22.06.2020
    Hajmi118.5 Kb.
    #10404

    CAST AND CREW
    Cast:

    Samuel Johnson .... Gary Kelp

    Colin Friels .... Ray Gill

    Jessica Napier .... Christine

    Sacha Horler .... Carol Kelp

    Kestie Morassi .... Jennifer

    Brian Meegan .... Bob Boundary

    Paul Sonkkila .... Snapper Thompson


    Crew:

    Director - Kriv Stenders

    Writer (novel) - David Snell

    Writer (screenplay) - Kriv Stenders

    David Snell

    Producer - Catherine Kerr

    Associate Producers - Aline Jacques

    Gary Phillips

    Mark Vennis

    Cinematographer - Kevin Hayward

    Film Editor - Denise Haratzis

    Casting Director - Nikki Barrett


    (Internet Movie Database - imdb.com, ABC’s At the Movies - abc.net.au)
    Original Music:

    Australian group ‘Severed Heads’

    (imdb.com)

    AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS


    Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)

    2005 Nominated AFI Award Best Screenplay, Adapted

    (Australian Film Kriv Stenders

    Institute) David Snell

    (imdb.com)

    DATES AND OTHER MOVIE INFORMATION


    Theatrical Release Dates:
    Country Date

    Australia 3 March 2005

    Poland 7 October 2005 (Warsaw Film Festival)
    (imdb.com)
    Film Festival:

    Invited to screen at the 2005 Tribeca Film Festival, which is founded by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal in 2002 and is establishing itself as one of the world's most prestigious film festivals. (abc.net.au)

    Screened at Adelaide Film Festival . (pdgv.com.au)
    DVD Release:

    June 20, 2005

    (Movie Marshal - moviemarshal.com)
    Filming Locations:

    Australia

    (imdb.com)
    Printed Film Format

    35 mm


    (imdb.com)
    Rating:

    MA 15+ medium level sex scene, medium level coarse language, adult themes

    (moviemarshal.com, Search South Australia - searchsa.com)
    Genre:

    Black Comedy

    (abc.net.au)
    Distributor:

    Palace Films

    (moviemarshal.com, abc.net.au)
    Production Company:

    Pod Films

    (imdb.com)
    BOX OFFICE AND BUDGET
    Budget:

    $3.8million

    (The Australian - theaustralian.news.com.au, Producers’ and Directors’ Guild - pdgv.com.au)
    Australian Box Office Rank (updated 5th April 2006)

    #253


    (moviemarshal.com)
    Box Office (Australia):

    Opening - AUD $19,816

    Final - AUD $45,618

    Opening was 43.44% of final grossing.

    (moviemarshal.com)

    INTERVIEWS


    Kriv Stenders, Director and Co-Writer (Screenplay)

    Interview conducted by David Stratton, retrieved from At the Movies, on the ABC website.

    (http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s1305757.htm)
    Kriv Stenders talks about the environment he tried to set up in the film, the make-up used, and his influences from late director Stanley Kubrick.
    Kriv Stenders, Director and Co-Writer (Screenplay)

    Interview conducted by Emma Flanagan in Melbourne, 17 January 2005, retrieved from PDGV: Producers’ and Directors’ Guild of Victoria (est. 1970), the website.

    (http://www.pdgv.com.au/news/2005-02-23_00.html)
    Details are provided about why Snell’s novel was chosen to be made into a film, how the script was made in collaboration with Snell, how and why the filming location of an abandoned Sunbeam factory was chosen, the research involved, and the music chosen.
    Kriv Stenders, Director and Co-Writer (Screenplay)

    Interview conducted by AFC Film Development Administrative Officer Sarah Runcie, retrieved from the AFC: Australian Film Commission website. (Newsletter)

    (http://www.afc.gov.au/newsandevents/afcnews/converse/kriv_stenders/newspage_177.aspx)
    More about Stanley Kubrick as an influence and the importance of the music in the film. Also discussed is the narrative undertaken, thoughts about casting Gary Kelp as the main character, and the roles of the female characters in the film.
    David Snell, Author (Novel) and and Co-Writer (Screenplay)

    Interview conducted by Jayne Margetts for the book, retrieved from The Swirling Sphere website.

    (http://www.thei.aust.com/books97/btlindavidsnell.html)
    Snell talks the themes and ideas he tries to highlight in the novel.
    Severed Heads, Group that made the soundtrack

    Audio interview with Tom Ellard of Severed Heads, 12 October 2005, retrieved from DIG Radio, on the ABC website.

    (http://www.abc.net.au/dig/stories/s1321221.htm)
    The Severed Heads is an Australian group that produces Industrial/ Electronic music, and was the creator of the music behind The Illustrated Family Doctor movie. In the interview, Ellard talks about Severed Heads being a top 40 band, and about the Illustrated Family Doctor soundtrack, amongst other things.
    Samuel Johnson, Lead Actor

    Interview conducted by David Michd, September 2002, retrieved from the IF: Inside Film website.

    (http://www.if.com.au/interviews/crackerjack-samuel-johnson.html)
    This interview was not specifically about The Illustrated Family Doctor, but was conducted to learn more about Samuel Johnson as an actor. The film had not even been made yet at the time of the interview. However, the film is mentioned, and some insight is given to Johnson’s feelings about the film.
    Samuel Johnson, Lead Actor

    Interview conducted by Margaret Ambrose, April 2005, retrieved from The Lounge Magazine.


    Johnson speaks about his feelings about the premier of the film, why his character in the movie, Gary, feels repulsed by the book he is condensing, and the relation between the character’s life and his physical symptoms.
    REVIEWS
    ABC’s Triple J Film Review

    http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/review/film/s1321345.htm

    Rating: 3.5/5

    The Illustrated Family Doctor is then a relevant and darkly funny look at contemporary working life that should speak directly to a particular generation vacuum-sealed inside the colourless world of downsizing, corporate indifference and company-speak.

    It’s not high on emotion but it does make you tense. And laugh. And think. Thank god there’s an Australian film kicking off the year that we can be proud of.”
    InFilm Australia Review

    http://www.infilm.com.au/reviews/familydoctor.htm

    Rating: 2.5/5

    The film works best as a quirky coming-of-age drama -- as a comedy it's patchy, at times awkward and stilted, more gradually amusing and even endearing than it is funny or whimsical. The Illustrated Family Doctor is not what the Australian film industry desperately needs, which is a sharp and concisely joined crowd pleaser that can appeal to the masses (The Castle, 1997, comes to mind). Instead the FFC this time have given us a comedy that isn't particularly funny and a drama that isn't particularly dramatic.”
    No Free List Review

    http://nofreelist.com/review/?movieid=1256

    Rating: 3.0/5

    I really can't find many redeeming factors about this film. It was dull, all over the place as far as story goes, and left me feeling totally meh. Australia is definitely capable of producing quality films, but this is not such an example.”
    Mouth Shut Review

    http://www.mouthshut.com/review/The_Illustrated_Family_Doctor-90000-1.html

    Rating: 3.0/5

    I had absolutely no idea what this film about, since I’d been shuffling between theatres at the CIFF and happened to walk into this one when it had already started. I saw Colin Friels on screen, and so sat down.”
    Movie Vault Review

    http://www.movie-vault.com/reviews/eXrDCZPZHRzzBPkA

    Rating: 5.0/10

    With potential to make a brilliant comment on the compartmentalised, pre-digested elements of modern life, this Australian movie is disappointing. The story feels like it is made up of several bits of other stories – like Ray’s ‘good bits’ in his desk drawer. The resolution at the end is not enough to save the movie.”
    Search South Australia Review

    http://www.searchsa.com.au/Review/Movie_Review.asp?id=191

    Rating: 55.0/100

    “‘The Illustrated Family Doctor’ is a disappointing movie given the quality of some of the cast and the missed opportunity to develop a potentially good story. The movie itself is broken into chapters, with headings given similar to the breakdown of a disease, which follows Gary’s demise into a genuine health crisis and as far as being a comedy…well, that’s another area that was sadly lacking for this reviewer.”
    Web Wombat Review

    http://www.webwombat.com.au/entertainment/dvds/illustrated-family-doctor.htm

    Rating: -

    The Illustrated Family Doctor is Kriv Stenders first writing/directing effort and it has to be said his surreal and delightfully black view on things is refreshing.”
    Variety Review

    http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117926410?categoryid=31&cs=1

    Rating: -

    “‘"The Illustrated Family Doctor" reps an uneven feature bowbow by noted AussieAussie commercials director Kriv Stenders. Despite precise visuals, and perfs to match, pic feels hemmed in by its clinically low-key ambience and the protag's dulled emotional register. Festival exposure could help build cult potential in selected markets, but otherwise the prognosis for pic's commercial life is decidedly iffy.”
    Cinephilia Review

    http://www.cinephilia.net.au/show_detailed_review.php?movieid=2588

    Rating: 2.5/5

    Yes, one gets the core idea, the redemption of the central character and all that, but when this is achieved by dissociating that character from his surroundings and relationships there is nothing in this trajectory for an audience with bosses, spouses, family and other such unavoidable stresses to find convincing and few people are going to laugh themselves sick over a hero with a skin disease.”
    Producers’ and Directors’ Guild of Victoria Review

    http://www.pdgv.com.au/news/2005-02-09_00.html

    Rating: -



    Note also that it is billed as a comedy, but the laughs just aren't there, and as Peter Jackson and the Coen Bros set the tone for black comedy many years ago, it is frustrating to be so let down by this one which resembles a raft of cheap commercials tacked together.
    ONLINE PRESENCE
    The Illustrated Family Doctor’s online presence is fairly strong, given that it is neither an extremely prominent film nor very successful in the box office. There was quite a large number of movie reviews to be found, both from unprofessional and professional reviewers. Interviews were harder to find, but garnering a few choice ones was possible. The film is also listed in the larger and more popular online movie databases such as IMDB. The film is often mentioned in interviews or write-ups about lead actor Samuel Johnson.
    INFORMATION GATHERING
    The resource used for collection of information was the internet, as allows access to a wide array of information. This is particularly useful for pooling information from many sources. The internet has proved to be a popular way to publish film reviews, given how plentiful the number of websites that offer them. Also, since the movie is no longer screening, it is difficult to obtain articles that are not stored electronically. Other resources include the ‘Special Features’ in the DVD and old magazines.
    CRITICAL REVIEW
    Plot and Synopsis
    This Australian black comedy based on David Snell’s novel of the same name introduces us to the world of Gary Kelp (Samuel Johnson), and it is a dreary, dismal world. Gary is a jaded young man working for Info Digest, an organization in Sydney that condenses existing books. A job that he less than relishes.
    At the beginning of the film, we learn that Gary’s father has just died, and that his organs have been harvested. He is shocked, but his sister seems more annoyed by the discovery, a state that she is in throughout the film. We also see that Gary has a relationship with Jennifer (Kestie Morassi), a nurse, but it is a tense, unfulfilling relationship as Jennifer is perpetually intolerant of Gary and obviously has little respect for him.
    Already starting from such a low point in his life, we witness Gary’s further deterioration. His mother (Sarah Pierse ) is chronically depressed, Jennifer seems more interested in his immature friend Carl (Jason Gann) and his disturbing anecdotes than she is in him, a mysterious character called ‘Snapper Thompson’ (Paul Sonkkila) seems to be stalking him in the office, and he is tasked to condense a medical journal called The Illustrated Family Doctor. The visual journal is chock full of dreadful medical diseases, and to his horror, he begins to develop some of the symptoms such as bloodshot eyes and rashes.
    The only respite from his bleak environment comes in the forms of his pseudo mentor at Info Digest, Ray (Colin Friels), and his daughter Christine (Jessica Napier). The former gives him sage advice, and helps him with the journal that he could no longer stand to look at. Ray has delightful quirks, such as saving the deleted ‘good bits’ from novels that he condenses in a disk in his desk drawer. Christine, whom he meets in a lounge bar, is one of the only characters he meets that pays him attention for a reason other than to put him down.
    As the film moves along, we see Gary questioning his life, everyone and everything in it. The decay of his life is reflected physically, as he takes on symptoms from his journal, and it seems that everything will culminate to a point where it becomes unbearable. The Illustrated Family Doctor is a tale of redemption, as it becomes clear that Gary must find some kind of epiphany that will put his disturbing life in perspective.


    Personal Commentary
    The film seemed to be ‘condensed’ of several other films that explored similar themes. Gary’s battered and unkempt office appearance reminds one of David Finch’s Fight Club, the disturbing feel of psychological instability, desperation and hallucination is reminiscent of Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream and Gary’s hysteria and the way the people around him pointedly ignore him brings to mind Mary Harron’s American Psycho. The Fight Club film soundtrack was done by The Dust Brothers, lending it an industrial darkness. The Illustrated Family Doctor seemed to do almost the exact same with Australian Electronica group, Severed Heads. Stenders also claims influence from Stanley Kubrick, and we can see this in the film’s blatant highlighting of humanity’s immorality, though as a fan of Kubrick’s, I think he falls one sandwich short of a picnic, or rather, one short of a pair. Despite drawing parallels with such accomplished cult films, The Illustrated Family Doctor does a poor job of itself. The elements it adapted were portrayed inferiorly, and resulted in a product that was impure. There is also the issue of originality, which this film has little of.
    Moreover, Samuel Johnson does not possess enough presence as the protagonist, and as such we do not sympathize with him and pine for his redemption. That being said, there is still some aspects of the film that suggest its genre of self-professed ‘black comedy’, and was memorable and noteworthy.
    Gary is repulsed by people around him, by Carl who tells a very unfunny joke about monkeys and puzzles, by Jennifer’s perverse sexual fantasies, and by the pictures in the medical journal. No one else seems to see this terrifying side of humanity. There is also some dry humor scattered throughout the movie, such as Gary asking the bartender if she was a student, and she replied with “Yea mate, I’m studying assholes.” He also asks wryly, “95% of our books relate to health, isn’t that unhealthy?” There is more dark humor in the way people react to his requests for help for his physical symptoms. He is told,” I am a nurse, not a dermatologist”, and later on “I am a surgeon, not an ophthalmologist”. Additionally, there is bittersweet irony that Gary has to wait for a cadaveric organ when his kidneys fail, when he was initially repulsed by his father being harvested after his death.
    All in all, The Illustrated Family Doctor isn’t one that could be considered a masterpiece or even halfway enjoyable, but it did put across its themes of redemption, the degradation of humanity, and of the perfunctory and mundane jobs people possess. As Gary said, “Shit, this is my life.”
    CRITICAL UPTAKE
    Time of Release
    Since the Australian takings were only about $45,600 and the film’s budget was $3.8 million, I can only surmise that the film wasn’t very well accepted at the time of release. The bulk of critics that reviewed the film around the time of its release gave it the thumbs down, calling it ‘iffy’, ‘disappointing’, and should ‘be given a miss’.
    Subsequently
    Reviewers that had an unfavorable disposition were not kinder to the film after its theatrical release, though a few supporters did emerge. As of now, circa one year after its theatrical release in March 2005, reviewers seem to take an extremist stand, either they liked it very much, or that simply hated and despised it. The bulk of them belonged to the latter faction, as only 2 out of 11 reviews I gathered concluded that it was a film worth watching.
    Some critics remarked that it ‘resembles a raft of cheap commercials tacked together’ (PDGV) and that even the comedy aspect was ‘lacking’ (SearchSA), and ‘patchy’ (InFilm). Many of these admitted that the film had potential (Movie Vault; Search SA; Variety) but simply did not pull through as a good Australian film.
    Those that had a positive view on the film commented that they liked the ‘delightfully black view on things’ that was ‘refreshing’ (Web Wombat), and that it was an ‘Australian film’ that ‘we can be proud of’. (Triple J)
    Also often mentioned amongst critics, was Samuel Johnson’s ability in his first lead role. Though most thought that he made his character likeable enough (Mouth Shut; Web Wombat; Cinephilia), some also think that he did not possess what it took to be a strong lead (SearchSA) and was better off in a supporting role, or on TV.
    CIRCUMSTANCES OF PRODUCTION AND RELEASE
    Circumstances of Production
    In an interview with Emma Flanagan, director Kriv Stenders was quizzed on why he chose Snell’s story. His reply was that he had an affinity with Snell’s book; he thought that it ‘contained a lot of beautiful observations about what it is to be a human being’. He found the blend of ‘irony, pathos, humor and poignant drama delicious.’
    His associate producer, Aline Jacques came up with the initial idea of turning the novel into a film, and Stenders felt he could visualize the characters on screen, and he saw a story he felt he understood personally. Reading the book in 1997, he re-read it again a year later before securing the rights and meeting with David Snell.
    Stenders spent around 3 months writing the initial draft, and David instilled in it the voice of the book. They worked together closely and completed eight drafts over a 2 year period, with two script editors.
    The shoot was six weeks long; with 10 to 12 hour days and a cast that was two-thirds Sydney-based and a third Melbourne-based. Post-production was twelve weeks long. The main shooting location was a Sunbeam factory just outside of Sydney that was no longer being used.
    The location was advantageous due to budget, time constraints, and convenience. It also suited the film’s stylistic approach, and provided the ambiguity and continuity that Stenders was looking to depict.
    Circumstances of Release
    Kriv Stenders and Catherine Kerr worked with their distributor, Palace, to devise a marketing plan for the film, knowing that Australian films could not compete with how American films were marketed. It was aimed more at the Australian market than at the international market, though overseas sales were allegedly negotiated. It was released in Australia on the 3rd of March, 2005.
    (pdgv.com.au; imdb.com)

    PRIOR WORK


    Kriv Stenders’ prior work was comprised mainly of commercials, and his one short film before The Illustrated Family Doctor, was fairly successful. As such, there is little material with which to draw relation with. Critics have instead used his commercial-making background as comparison, which could be a little unfair. PDGV has referred to the film as an unskillfully put together ‘raft of commercials’. Indeed, the feeling that one often gets during the scenes when Gary is in his office, is the feeling that one is watching a commercial. The lighting is white and stark, and you half expect someone to smile, pull out a teabag, and start a Lipton tea commercial.
    Perhaps more interesting to investigate is lead actor Samuel Johnson. While Stenders works to prove himself in his first feature film, Johnson works to prove himself as an actor in his first lead role. Taking himself away from ‘happy’ television shows that he is best known for, such as The Secret Life of Us, and starring in a dark gritty film is an admirable and brave gesture, whether he is successful or otherwise. If he hoped to bust out of his TV supporting role stereotype and look the versatile actor, he is probably half successful, as a good number of critics complimented him despite bashing the overall quality of the film.
    Filmography
    Kriv Stenders
    Director Filmography

    • Blacktown (2005)

    • The Illustrated Family Doctor (2005)

    His first feature production, previously he was known for producing commercials and short films.

    • Two/Out (1998)

    This 13 minute short film about two men in prison was well received by critics.
    (imdb.com; cinephilia.net.au)
    Writer Filmography

    • Blacktown (2005)

    • The Illustrated Family Doctor (2005)

    (imdb.com)


    Samuel Johnson

    (Due to length of filmography, only works from 2000 onwards are documented)


    Johnson is best known for his work in TV series The Secret Life of Us.
    Actor Filmography

    • Ten Feet Tall (2005) .... Tim

    • The Illustrated Family Doctor (2005) .... Gary Kelp

    • The House of Names (2003) .... Cleveland

    • "After the Deluge" (2003) (mini) TV Series .... Toby Kirby

    • Shadowbane (2003) (VG) (voice) (as Sam Johnson)

    • Crackerjack (2002) .... Dave Jackson

    • "The Secret Life of Us" (2001-2005) .... Evan Wylde

    • New Skin (2002) .... Sten

    • ICQ (2001) .... Eric

    • The Secret Life of Us (2001) (TV) .... Evan Wylde/Narrator

    • Sparky D Comes to Town (2001) (TV) .... Stretch

    • "Something in the Air" (2000, 7 Episodes) .... Dermot Yates

    • "The New Adventures of Ocean Girl" (2000) TV Series (voice) .... Prince Jobah


    Colin Friels Filmography

    (Due to length of filmography, only works from 2000 onwards are documented)


    Friels has a lengthy acting career and is well-known and liked, being frequently mentioned as the motivation for many critics/ reviewers to watch The Illustrated Family Doctor (2005).
    Actor Filmography

    • BlackJack (2006, 3 Episodes)) (TV) (filming) .... Jack Kempson

    • The Book of Revelation (2006) .... Olsen

    • Solo (2005/III) .... Barrett

    • BlackJack (2005, 2 Episodes) (TV) .... Jack Kempson

    • The Illustrated Family Doctor (2005) .... Ray Gill

    • BlackJack (2004, 1 Episode) (TV) .... Jack Kempson

    • Tom White (2004) .... Tom White

    • The Mystery of Natalie Wood (2004) (TV) .... Nick Gurdin

    • Temptation (2003/II) (TV) .... Roberto Francobelli

    • BlackJack (2003) (TV) .... Jack Kempson

    • Max's Dreaming (2003) .... Mark Bryce

    • Black and White (2002) .... Father Tom Dixon

    • My Husband My Killer (2001) (TV) .... Bob Inkster

    • The Man Who Sued God (2001) .... David Myers

    • Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story (2001) (TV) .... George Temple

    • "The Farm" (2001) (mini) TV Series .... Tom Cooper

    • Marriage Acts (2000) (TV) .... David McKinnon


    Jessica Napier Filmography

    (Due to length of filmography, only works from 2000 onwards are documented)


    Actor Filmography

    • "The Alice" (2006, 1 Episode) (TV) .... Jess Daily

    • Safety in Numbers (2005) .... Jen

    • The Illustrated Family Doctor (2005) .... Christine

    • The Alice (2004) (TV) .... Jess Daily

    • Post (2004) .... Jessica

    • Stuffed Bunny (2002) .... German Girlfriend

    • New Skin (2002) .... Lyra

    • Sweet Dreams (2002)

    • "McLeod's Daughters" (2001) .... Becky Howard (2001-2003)

    • Lawless Heart (2001) .... Georgia

    • Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story (2001) (TV) .... Klammie

    • "Head Start" (2001) TV Episode .... Amy

    • "The Lost World" (2000) TV Episode .... Gladice

    • Angst (2000) .... Jade

    • Twitch (2000) .... Jane

    • City Loop (2000) .... Sophie

    • Cut (2000/I) .... Raffy Carruthers

    (imdb.com)


    AUSTRALIAN FILM
    The film is unmistakably Australian, the first thing that hits you is the accent and prose, which is dosed with proliferate swearing typical of Australians. Some tasty examples are, ‘He’s a nasty bastard’, ‘…a f**king colorful identity’, ‘piss off’ and ‘you wouldn’t know if your arse was on fire’. As with many Australian films, we also see the juxtaposition two separate lifestyles, the bush and the city. We see this when Ray describes living in the bush for 7 years in a tent with his wife. He then moved to the city because he saw a friend eat a whole tree because it was ‘better than magic mushrooms’. There is also some of the good old Australian bluntness in speech, and casual confidence in self-image and carnal relations. Gary and Jennifer can hold a conversation in the act of love-making, and Gary is perfectly comfortable with examining his rashes in the nude as Jennifer mills around behind him.
    On a more technical perspective, the film’s Australian identity is also seen by its predominantly Australian cast and crew, the support of Australian bodies such as the Australian Film Commission and Stenders’ recognition that he had to market the film as Australian. There is also the inclusion of prominent Australian actors Samuel Johnson and Colin Friels.
    The position of the film in Australian Box Office (#253) showed that Australian films are not yet on par with Hollywood films. Given the generally lower budget of Australian films, this is not surprising. Critics have not generally been given to praise Australian films very much, and this one was no exception. Perhaps this is because they compare Australian films to Hollywood films with no consideration that they have more limited market and resources.
    TYPE AND GENRE
    The DVD loudly quotes Filmink as describing the film as ‘pure black comedy’ and this is mirrored in most reviews. ‘Black comedy’ is a subgenre of comedy (Filmsite.org) and is said to be a meld of satire and comedy (Wikipedia, Filmsite.org).
    This is an apt classification, as the film is indeed full of sarcastic humor, black irony, and the work of Murphy’s Law. The cinematography couples the resigned characters with sad bare walls, corridors with glaringly bright white light, and clinical design of workspaces. The literal darkness is substituted with bleakness. In addition to this, the characters in the film are not made to look pretty, in particular the lead character Gary, who at one point in the film looks one step from the grave. The disgusting pictures he skims through to condense the medical journal is gruesome and makes one cringe, and I have the feeling that that was its intended purpose. There is always a comedic touch to this depressing ambience that would make one chuckle with mirthless exasperated amusement rather than lighthearted laugher.
    There are also the feel of other genres that jump in, IMDB lists the film under Drama/ Thriller though it also lists it secondarily as Black Comedy. Some reviews call it a Coming of Age Drama, presumably because of Gary’s life re-evaluation. However, I think that none of these hits the nail on the head quite so well as dark satirical comedy.
    There are few Australian films that cater so obviously to the genre, so this film is unique in its own first-mover way. Other films that have dark settings and elements of irony such as Two Hands have been called black comedies. However, I don’t think that they can reserve that categorization as its main one, even if they have elements of it.
    Overall, The Illustrated Family Doctor is significant because it is an ambitious Australian foray, and with time, Australia will not only make its film presence known, but produce better movies. Though I cannot say that I enjoyed the film very much, it has attracted distinguishable interest.

    Major Sites:

    IMDB, The Internet Movie Database, www.imdb.com

    PDGV, The Producers’ and Directors’ Guild of Victoria, www.pdgv.com.au

    Movie Marshal, www.moviemarshal.com

    ABC’s At the Movies, www.abc.net.au

    Search South Australia, www.searchsa.com

    The Australian, www.theaustralian.news.com.au

    Cinephilia, www.cinephilia.net.au



    Email: blackirony@gmail.com
    Download 118.5 Kb.




    Download 118.5 Kb.