Literary cinema, civilized, conservative, a trifle fusty, from writer-director (and actor) Michael Blakemore. The project was, as stated in the printed preamble, "suggested by Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya." In fact quite strongly suggested by it. In fact quite tightly tethered to it, notwithstanding the transplant to post-WWI Australia. Louis Malle's Vanya on 42nd Street, released a year earlier, provided a useful refresher, while at the same time stealing any faint rumbles of thunder. Blakemore's cast, however, himself included, can hold their own with Malle's: top marks to ruddy John Hargreaves as the unfulfilled, bitter, envious, pitiful Uncle Jack. With Kerry Fox, Sam Neill, Greta Scacchi. (1995) — Duncan Shepherd
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