- Opal Dream
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Opal Dream Directed by Peter Cattaneo Produced by Ben Rice
Finola Dwyer
Angus Finney
Robert Jones
Davil ThompsonWritten by Peter Cattaneo
Ben Rice
Phil TraillStarring Vince Colosimo
Jacqueline McKenzie
Christian Byers
Sapphire BoyceMusic by Christian Henson, Dario Marianelli Cinematography Robert Humphreys Editing by Jim Clark Distributed by Renaissance Films
BBC FilmsRelease date(s) 28 September 2006 Running time 85 minutes Country Australia Language English Budget A$11,400,000 Opal Dream (also known as Pobby and Dingan) is a 2006 Australian drama film, based on the Ben Rice novella Pobby and Dingan, directed by Peter Cattaneo and starring an ensemble cast including Vince Colosimo, Jacqueline McKenzie, Christian Byers and Sapphire Boyce. It was filmed on location around South Australia, in Adelaide, Coober Pedy and Woomera. Opal Dream was released in Australia on 28 September 2006, with eventual release around the world.
Contents
Cast
Actor Role Vince Colosimo Rex Williamson Jacqueline McKenzie Annie Williamson Christian Byers Ashmol Williamson Sapphire Boyce Kellyanne Williamson Peter Callan Dan Dunkley Andy McPhee Harris Robert Menzies Humph Adam Morgan Donny Rusty Potter Lyndon Dunkley Denise Roberts Vera Plot
Kellyanne (Sapphire Boyce) is led by her brother Ashmol (Christian Byers).
The film begins by introducing Kellyanne Williamson, playing with imaginary friends Pobby and Dingan. The family of Rex Williamson—his wife Anne, daughter Kellyanne and son Ashmol—have moved to Coober Pedy, known as the "opal capital of Australia", because Rex believed he could make a fortune in opal mining. So far he's had little success. Ashmol, while he loves his sister, is frequently annoyed when she talks to her imaginary friends, and some of the kids at school tease the siblings because of them.
Rex and Annie decide it is time to wean Kellyanne from her invisible companions. Annie takes Kellyanne to a Christmas party at Annie's friend's house, Rex telling her that he will let Pobby and Dingan come with him to go opal mining. Upon Rex's return, Kellyanne says she can no longer see them and that they have disappeared. She insists on going to the opal mining area to look for them, accompanied by Rex and Ashmol. The family accidentally strays on to a neighbouring miner's patch. The miner, Sid, pulls a shotgun on Rex and calls the police, thinking that Rex was "ratting" on his territory - that is, looking for opals on his turf.
Kellyanne is grief-stricken at the loss of her imaginary friends and takes ill, although doctors can find nothing physically wrong with her. Rex has to leave his opal claim. Annie loses her job at the local supermarket, thanks to the circulating rumours around Rex's arrest. Convinced that Kellyanne is faking her illness, Ashmol nonetheless goes along with her wish that he try to find Pobby and Dingan. He even comes up with the idea of putting posters around town. Ultimately, returning to Rex's mine area, Ashmol finds two lollipop wrappers. Deeper in the tunnel, he finds a large opal which he takes back to Kellyanne. He tells her he has found Pobby and Dingan, and that they are dead.
Kellyanne, whose sickness has been worsening, has to go to hospital. Ashmol sells his opal and pays for a funeral for Pobby and Dingan. He has made friends with a lawyer, who takes Rex's case. Rex wins the trial.
Many people in town begin to feel that their attitude toward Kellyanne and her family may have contributed to her sickness. These people show up at Pobby and Dingan's funeral. Kellyanne, though still sick, is there, and throws lollipops into her imaginary friends' graves. A short time later, Kellyanne herself dies, and is buried between her imaginary friends. Ashmol visits her grave. Rex gets his claim back, and Ashmol is allowed to accompany him on mining trips.
Ending
In the original release of the film, the death of Kellyanne was not shown; after Pobby and Dingan's funeral, the screen fades to white, and the film ends. This cut was made against the wishes of the director and crew[1], but did air uncut and as originally intended when shown on BBC Two in 2008.
Reaction
The film has had some early critical success at various international film festivals, including the 2005 Berlin International Film Festival and the 2006 Melbourne International Film Festival. With 32 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes rates the film at 69% (22 fresh, 10 rotten), giving an overall "fresh" rating.[2]
The film was commercially released on Amazon in 2007, and is available as region 1 and 2 DVDs.
Box Office
Opal Dream grossed $64,461 at the box office in Australia,[3].
See also
References
- ^ CJClark1064 (film's editor). "IMDb :: Boards :: Opal Dream (2005) Re: What do you reckon happens in the end?". http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0420835/board/nest/69630938?p=1. "I am the editor this film. Originally in this film the girl died. The director said: 'The only reason I wanted to direct this film was to have the girl die.' We all thought this would be a more powerful ending. But, of course, the financiers thought it would have more commercial success if the girl lived, so the film was recut. This is a typical example of commercialism over artistic ambition.... and the film did nothing at the box office."
- ^ "Opal Dream". Rotten Tomatoes. http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/opal_dream/. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
- ^ Film Victoria - Australian Films at the Australian Box Office
External links
Films directed by Peter Cattaneo Dear Rosie (1990) · The Full Monty (1997) · Lucky Break (2001) · Opal Dream (2005) · The Rocker (2008)
Categories:- Australian films
- English-language films
- 2006 films
- BBC Films
- Films shot in Adelaide
- Australian drama films
- Independent films
- 2000s drama films
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