The Sum Of Us Details

Well Worth Seeing

This is a pretty unusual film as gay movies go in that it doesn't present any coming out issues, nor does it have anything very profound to say about being gay. Looking for love is pretty universal whether you are gay or straight, young or old, and that message is loud and clear throughout the film. It's a bit dated now - rolled up sleeves and shoulder pads abound and Russell Crowe wouldn't be seen dead wearing those SHORT shorts once the 80s died. It's also relentlessly Aussie - subtlety is not its middle name. The humour is laid on with a trowel and consequently not all that funny. It's light-hearted rather than being outright funny.

I was particularly moved by the depiction of an elderly female gay couple - grandma and 'aunty' Mary, a nice, sensitive touch in an otherwise quite in-your-face aussie drama.

Russell Crowe is almost too good in this film - too good-looking, too fit, too sexy. It's very hard to believe the central premise that he's 24 and lonely and unable to find a lover because he's too homely.

There is some sweet gay action - some kisses and major flirting - but nothing to put the breeders off watching.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Russell Crowe does 'gay' - and very well too!

I've owned both the American video and now R1 DVD of this film ever since I happened to catch it on TV years ago, and its R2 release is long overdue! This is a gentle Australian comedy/drama with a cracking soundtrack (including well-known Crowded House songs). Russell Crowe plays Jeff, gay son to the ever-excellent Jack Thompson's widower dad, Harry. They are both looking for love and spark off each other along the way. The film was originally a play and it shows (there are a lot of 'asides' to the audience), but don't let that put you off. Russell Crowe is awesome in this film, playing Jeff as a normal guy who just happens to be gay. Rent it - you'll be surprised!