Careful He Might Hear You (1983)
Parental guidance recommended
Set in Sydney during the Great Depression, two aunts - snobbish and wealthy Anglophile Vanessa (Wendy Hughes) and working class Lila (Robyn Nevin) - battle for custody of their late sister’s child (soulfully played by Nicholas Gledhill). The case is complicated by the arrival of P.S.’s long-absent father, Logan (John Hargreaves, star of Don’s Party), an alcoholic who loves his son but is incapable of caring for him. Lush period art-direction and John Seale’s poetic cinematography make this film a beautiful cinematic experience.
| Status: | Unavailable |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 110mins |
| Origin: | AUSTRALIA |
| Aspect Ratio: | 2.35 : 1 |
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Member Reviews (6)
6 Member
Reviews
Don
says
A very poignant film. The 7 year old boy is very well played, and he is the only real focus of the story. He is caught in a tug of war between his two aunts -- one whom he loves (and her husband George whom he also loves); and a rich socialite aunt who does not know how to love, she never really grew up herself... The child's father appears briefly, and makes a very strong impression on him; the father may be an alcoholic, but at least he knows who he is, and the child realizes that he has himself to find out who he is, not just a plaything tossed to and fro between the warring aunts. Anyone who has ever been a 7 year old child will recognize themselves in him, and feel for him. The photography is not so great; the script could be better written; but despite its technical faults the film is a very good one.
Alex D.
says
Averge Aussie film
Mavis D.
says
An engaging Australian movie looking at the experience of a small boy torn between the aunt and uncle who have raised and loved him, despite financial difficulties. and the rich aunt returned from abroad to pamper him and give him the best (most expensive) education. I was struck by the portrayal of the family court dealing with evidence from a minor, and also the combined prejudice against the disadvantaged and in support of wealth and societal standing. An excellent movie with themes relevant to children's rights and wellbeing in every generation. This movie has been described as one of the best ever portrayals of childhood. Also underpins the importance of a name and identity - to say more would compromise your enjoyment and ruin the suspense
Betsy F.
says
Love this movie, even after all this time it's still a true classic and very moving film.
Paul W.
says
One of the great Australian films. A heartwarming story set in the 1930's. The film is authentic to the time period and features some fairly respectable acting. All in all, it's worth watching if you haven't seen it yet.
Rob
says
An excellent & gentle movie, beautifully underplayed by the 2 leads, Robyn Nevin as the dowdy but loving aunt Lila, & Wendy Hughes as the sophisticated & glamorous but lonely other aunt, Vanessa in a "tug of love" (sorry, an expression done to death) with their young nephew. Unusually for a film script, this followed fairly closely to the book. John Hargeaves was also good in a small but pivotal role as P.S.'s real father. A good watch & proves that Australian movie makers can do it with the best - but why do we have to wait for so long between them?