Hotel Sorrento (1995)

Director:

Richard Franklin

Writers:

Peter Fitzpatrick (written by)
Richard Franklin (written by)

Release Date:

14 July 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

One sister's desire became the family secret.

Plot:

Meg, Pippa, and Hillary are sisters who grew up in Sorrento, a small seaside town in Australia. Meg...

Plot Keywords:

Australia | Human Relationship | Independent Film | Based On Play

Awards:

4 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Caroline Goodall	...	Meg Moynihan
Caroline Gillmer	...	Hilary Moynihan
Tara Morice	...	Pippa Moynihan
Joan Plowright	...	Marge Morrisey
Ray Barrett	...	Wal Moynihan
Nicholas Bell	...	Edwin
Ben Thomas	...	Troy Moynihan
John Hargreaves	...	Dick Bennett
Dave Barnett	...	Radio Announcer
Peter O'Callaghan	...	Radio Announcer
Jane Edmanson	...	Radio Announcer
Bill Howie	...	Radio Announcer
Sam Newman	...	Football Commentator
Shane Healy	...	Football Commentator
Phillip Lee	...	Auctioneer (voice)

Also Known As:

Sorrento Beach

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

USA:112 min

Country:

Australia | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Spain:7 | USA:R | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Sorrento, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Australian Film

Quotes:

Marge (referring to Australia): Do you think this is a country which honors ordinariness?
Dick: No. Well once...maybe...you know, there was once a time when it was impossible to be different. Anyone with any nouse had to pack up and clear out, but it's not like that anymore. And to keep harking back to it--that's what irritates me about that book. It's just safe territory. It's not going to shake anyone up.
Marge: Well, it's shaken me up. Maybe you don't read between the lines.
Dick: I hate nostalgia.
Marge: It's NOT nostalgia.
Dick: Where are the people writing about the big picture? Who's coming to grips with some contemporary vision for this place? Can you think of anyone?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Game-On: (#3.2)" (1998)

Soundtrack:

I Go To Rio

Another brilliant Aussie film

Unlike jjp, I think of this as one of those rare movies that is spectacular without trying to be spectacular. So many Hollywood movies try to slam emotions down our throats, leaving one cold--not this. The entire cast is solid, if not brilliant, especially Joan Plowright.

The storyline may not be the most original around, but it is well thought-out, directed and executed. On the surface it's another "family coming together" flick where one laughs a bit and cries a bit. But it's better done than that. The characters (and dialogue) are real, not filled with contrived eccentricities. They're also enjoyable and enchanting. The setting, a quiet (almost dull) seaside town, works wonderfully (& it's not NYC, LA or Chicago for once.) Without car chases and gun shots, it comes together beautifully.

The 90s seem to have been a real coming of age for the Australian film industry. This film, along with "The Sum of Us", "Muriel's Wedding" and a host of others seem to prove that all Hollywood writers, directors and producers need a working-holiday in Australia.