Summary
Romantic drama based on Timothy Conigrave's bestselling memoir about his 15-year relationship with lover John Caleo. Ryan Corr and Craig Stott star.
Romantic drama based on Timothy Conigrave's bestselling memoir about his 15-year relationship with lover John Caleo. Ryan Corr and Craig Stott star.
Director Neil Armfield's first feature film since 2005's Candy starring Heath Ledger is nicely pitched, beautifully played and, in its latter stages, genuinelymoving. It's a quality Aussie drama based on a true story that traces the arc of a gay relationship, from Tim Conigrave and John Caleo's first meeting in high school, through their 15 years of "marital" ups-and-downs, and on to the lingering impact of Aids. Saved from schmaltz by an all-pervasive good humour - humour that belies the bile the boys encounter being "outed" as gay in "manly" late 70s Australia - Holding the Man is impeccably acted by young leads Ryan Corr and Craig Stott, and by a veritable Aussie who's who of veteran support stars, including Guy Pearce, Anthony LaPaglia and an uncredited Geoffrey Rush. Transcending what sounds like niche subject matter, this is proper grown-up film-making and, in many ways, must-see cinema.
role | name |
---|---|
Timothy Conigrave | Ryan Corr |
John Caleo | Craig Stott |
Bob Caleo | Anthony LaPaglia |
Mary Gert Conigrave | Kerry Fox |
Dick Conigrave | Guy Pearce |
Barry | Geoffrey Rush |
role | name |
---|---|
Director | Neil Armfield |