Mountain FogRETROSPECT: CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU (1983)
April 28th 2009 07:28
The 1980s in Australia witnessed a massive surge in local filmmaking. Driven by generous government tax concessions, project after project was put into production leading to an interestingly mixed period in Australian cinema. While there ended up being a surfeit of average celluloid flung at disinterested audiences, there were also filmmakers illustrating that there was still no substitute for a keenly written script matched to thoughtful direction, highly skilled photography and sublime performances. Perhaps one of the finest examples from this period-of-plenty is the carefully conceived and beautifully rendered Careful, He Might Hear You.
Adapted from the semi-autobiographical novel by Sumner Locke Elliott, Careful, He Might Hear You plays out in depression-era Sydney and centres around PS (Nicholas Gledhill), a six-year-old boy who lives with his Aunt Lila (Robyn Nevin) and Uncle George (Peter Whitford). PS has been with his aunt and uncle since the death of his mother during childbirth and while Lila and George aren’t wealthy, they do their best to give the boy a loving and stable home. PS’s life changes, however, with the arrival in Sydney of Vanessa (Wendy Hughes), Lila's wealthy sister. Having spent a number of years based in London and travelling the world, Vanessa is oddly interested in PS, and expresses a desire to take fulltime custody of the child. Lila initially agrees to let Vanessa visit with PS, and his rich aunt quickly goes to work in trying to win his love with limousine rides and lavish gifts. But when Vanessa decides she wants the boy full time, the scene is set for a battle between the two sisters, with PS helplessly caught in the middle. Things are complicated further by the arrival of PS's long-absent father, Logan (John Hargreaves), an ineffective and guilt-ridden lush who loves his son but is incapable of caring for him.
Careful, He Might Hear You is superbly realised drama, with a fine attention paid to just about every aspect of its production. Michael Jenkins’ script is absolutely first class, with there being little evidence of its literary origins. Unlike many adaptations, Careful, He Might Hear You isn’t weighed down by a preponderance of characters or overly talky scenes, with development taking the visual route wherever possible. Helping drive along proceedings is John Seale’s stunning photography, which uses its cavernous widescreen aspect ratio to carefully study the players and practically engulf the scenery. Every frame and lens selection seems fussed over, but the cinematography never becomes stuffy, instead carrying a remarkably dynamic feel that is quite pure in its breathtaking propulsion.
Almost equal to Seale’s camera work is the stunning detail it captures. John Stoddart’s production design is meticulous in its detail, submerging the viewer completely in the stifling hardship of depression era Sydney. And plying their trade about the assiduously selected locations and meticulously built sets are some players at the top of their game, directed with purpose by Carl Schultz. Wendy Hughes is all crimped sensuality and frustrated affection as the frigid Vanessa, a portrayal that rolls brilliantly with the script to allow the audience to sympathise with this initially alien character. Likewise, Robyn Nevin and Peter Whitford communicate with insightful subtlety Lila and George’s love for PS and quiet but persistent concern for his best interests. In a smaller but pivotal roll, John Hargreaves is note perfect as Logan, PS’s broken and alcoholic father, while PS himself is played in a beautifully mournful tone by Nicholas Gledhill, the actor’s sharp blue eyes communicating confusion and pain in equal measure as we see the drama played out from the skewed understanding of his young perspective.
Nicholas Gledhill as PS and Wendy Hughes as Vanessa in Careful, He Might Hear You
There are so many fine aspects that have gone into Careful, He Might Hear You, but ultimately it’s the final package that impresses most. It illustrated at the time just what local filmmakers were capable of and the film doesn’t suffer from the hackneyed conventions of other Australian efforts of the 1980s (although Ray Cook’s excellent score is perhaps too intrusive at times). This is affecting drama, moving without being mawkish, and revels in its artistry without descending down the slippery slide of self-importance. Resonating particularly strongly with anybody who has lived through the confusion of a displaced childhood, Careful, He Might Hear You is essential viewing and remains an Australian classic.
Careful, He Might Hear You is part of the Literary Adaptations: Australia box set. For reviews of Picnic at Hanging Rock and The Naked Country taken from the same set, check out Cibbuano's excellent film review site, 20/20 Filmsight. The box set is available from Umbrella Entertainment.
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Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
I've just finished watching 5 more classic Wendy Hughes films at Melbourne's ACMI over the past 2 weekends as part of a retrospective on her work; they were all of an extremely high quality too. A beautiful woman and a first-class actress.
Comment by Matt Shea
20/20 Filmsight
Comment by MVD
Of course, on your recommendation, I'll check this one out.
Comment by Matt Shea
20/20 Filmsight