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Australia has no shortage of he-man actors. Tops on anybody's list would be Russell Crowe and bluff, burly Jack Thompson, neither of whom looks completely at ease without a pint of lager in his hand. Thus it's a brilliant touch to cast them together in a gay comedy--Crowe as an uncloseted young man looking for love, Thompson as his open-minded straight father, who's so eager to help his son find Mr. Right, he's actually a bit of an annoyance. The 1995 movie betrays its stage origins, especially when the characters turn to the camera to deliver conversational asides. And the one-joke premise of Thompson's unflagging enthusiasm for his son's sex life becomes almost as tiresome for the viewer as it does for the son. But it's an innocuous enough little movie, and the two actors bring their gruff likability into every scene. In retrospect, Crowe's future stardom looks blindingly obvious. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (41)

Early Russell Crowe Gem
"Aussie" Film Stars Jack Thompson and Russell Crowe as father & son "best friends", looking for lasting love/companionship with a life partner. The aging "dad", who is a widower, habitually tries to play cupid for his gay 20-something son, seemingly spoiling all chances of "success", and eventually starts a search for his own second love.

This film is hilarious, filled with great gags throughout. The deeper message of tolerance towards gays and lesbians, as well as loyalty to a loved one in need (when the father suffers a stroke, the son refuses to abandon him, caring for him like a parent would care for a small child) is not deminished by the brilliant humor which surrounds it. "Sap-lovers" will get their fill as well!

Honored with many International Film Awards, "The Sum Of Us" adds up to a big winner! Highly recommended!*****

Warm father-son story
This movie is very hard to find in the United States, and I cannot understand why it has not been re-released. I would think that someone would want to cash in on Russell Crowe's post-Gladiator success by making this film available again. I mean, they re-released his atrocious "No Way Back", for crying out loud. But alas, it appears that no one has caught on to this little gem (or that a re-release is being deliberately suppressed--that's the conspiracy theorist in me coming out).

In any case, I was lucky enough to rent this video a couple of years ago, before it was stolen from my local video store and never replaced. What a delightful surprise it turned out to be. "Sum of Us" is, at it's heart, the story of a boy and his dad. Jeff (Crowe) is looking for love in Sydney's gay bar scene. He desperately wants someone with whom he can share his life, have a beer with, cuddle up to... "Is that too much to ask?" His father, Harry (Jack Thompson), doesn't think so. He desperately wants his son to be happy, and to find true love.

Much of the film is hilarious, due in large part to Harry's keen interest in his son's sex/love life, and his openness to discussing it in front of other people. Harry is too supportive, you see, to the point of embarrassing Jeff beyond all hope. The young man whom Jeff fancies is not accustomed to such candor. In fact, he is keeping his own homosexuality a secret from his judgemental father. In the meantime, Harry is looking for love himself, now that he's nearing retirement, which causes its own comedy and drama.

In "Sum of Us", Crowe and Thompson break the fourth wall, and speak directly to the audience. This actually works for this film--it does not distract the viewer or take them out of the story. In fact, I felt the same little thrill one does when hearing a good piece of gossip. These little asides to the audience also contribute greatly to the humor. But it's not all fun and games. Jeff is a very sensitive young man, who's been deeply hurt by lovers in the past. Jeff wears his heart on his sleeve, and all of his insecurity, excitement, disappointment, longing, and adoration play across Crowe's face in a heartbreaking, uninhibited performance.

Thompson plays off Crowe perfectly, and vice versa. Their relationship is completely believable--you would think that they really were father and son. Getting on each other's nerves, pushing each other's buttons, knowing each other's weaknesses. This is a relationship rarely seen on screen--a close, loving, warm relationship between a parent and child. Dysfunctional family relationships are more volatile, dynamic, and therefore more dramatic in the minds of most screenwriters--normal people are boring. Jeff and Harry are anything but boring, and they take the viewer right along with them. You'll find yourself caring deeply about both Harry and Jeff, hoping, hoping, hoping that everything will work out for each of them in the end. This is a very engaging story, due in large part to the performances of Crowe and Thompson, and the chemistry between the two.

Don't miss it. I just purchased a used copy from, and it was worth it. This is a movie that I'm sure I'll watch over and over again, the kind of movie you dust off once a year and discover something new about it each time.

Review of "The Sum of Us" by Cheri
"The Sum of Us" is a beautiful story about the unconditional love between a widowed father, Harry (Jack Thompson), and his openly gay son, Jeff (Russell Crowe). The movie shows a rare glimpse of a father's acceptance and willingness to try and understand his son's sexuality. When Jeff has a date, Harry is there to make sure his son practices safe sex, and when Harry has a stroke, Jeff is there to assume sole responsibility for his care, preparing his meals, helping him get around, and taking care of all his needs. They may drive each other crazy at times, but their unselfish acts of love for each other are heartwarming without being sickeningly sweet. I love this movie because it is honest, funny, wonderfully acted, hopeful, and real. Russell Crowe gives a brilliant performance early in his career. He is so believable you forget you are watching a movie. Jack Thompson is perfectly cast as his father. He is warm and funny. I recommend this movie to anyone that has ever loved or has ever been in love. It is a feel good movie. If you have trouble with the thick Australian accent, you can always use the subtitles.

A Dream Come True!
This movie touched every part of me. The relationship between Jeff (Russell Crowe)and his father Harry (Jack Thompson) is every gay man's dream...to be able to live with his parents in harmony and respect, without having to lead a second life, not to mention the fact that we have The Gladiator, Mr. Russell Crowe portraying a character that many other leading men now will turn down. Two thumbs up for Russell Crowe, all my respect to him!

I think I can picture myself in this movie, because my relationship with my mother is just like the one portrayed by these characters...Yes, believe it or not, my mother tries to set me up every now and then, unsuccessfully I must say, but nevertheless she tried! I Love You Mom!

Five stars is not enough, I love this movie!

One of the sweetest movies ever
I LOVE this movie and have watched it countless times. Its funny, sad, touching, hilarious, sweet, and in general a feel good movie. All kids should have the kind of relationship that Jeff (the character played by Russell Crowe) is lucky enough to have with his father. The world would be a far better place for it.

Jeff's father, Harry, is a widow, and is not only Jeff's dad, he's also his best friend. The film focuses on their relationship with each other and with their prospective partners. Jeff is gay, and rather than being the stereotypical "movie father" full of shock at his son's sexuality, Harry is very supportive of his sons lifestyle. As Harry explains in the movie, our kids are after all "the sum of us" .

Jack Thompson and Russell Crowe are a joy to watch as Harry and Jeff, father and son, and best mates, and this is a genuinely wonderful, touching movie which draws as many tears as it does laughs. One to look out for, and well worth a watch. Harry and Jeff will stay with you long after the end credits have finished running. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

SAME PILOT AS ON FULL SEASON COLLECTION
Just so you know, this is the IDENTICAL PILOT THAT IS IN THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON SET. I give the show itself 5 stars, and for everyone who just wants a taste, buy the DVD. BUT if you own the first season, there is NO NEED to buy this one.

What is different about this Pilot?
I was wondering if this Pilot episode is any different from the Pilot episode provided on the first season DVD set? It just seems odd that they would sell the Pilot as a stand alone episode. I had heard through different Gilmore Girl websites that the Pilot episode presented to WB execs before the show was picked up did differ slightly from the episode that viewers saw. Apparently, both Sookie and Dean were played by different characters and I believe there was some different dialogue. Anyways, if this Pilot is different from the DVD set, I would happily buy it! Can you ever get too much Gilmore Girls? And I think we all know the answer to that question ... NO! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Now that the first season is out SKIP THIS Rip-Off!
The episode contained here is a very good one. And I can think of nothing bad to say about it. And the documentary is very good as well. But you get the SAME episode and the SAME documentary {no other extra's though} PLUS 22 more episodes with the first season set. If you can not afford the first season set this would be better than nothing. But if you can afford it, avoide this and buy the first season. Had I known the first season DVD's were comming 5 months ago I WOULD HAVE!!

Real fans should boycott these piecemeal releases
This is typical of a bad DVD release. It looks like a crude attempt to extract as much revenue as possible from large base of loyal fans. Some reviewers who wax lyrical over the 'special' interview features and "insight into the show" in this single episode DVD either work for the publisher or miss the point that any of these items could have been included in a 'full season' release. This piecemeal approach is frustrating for real fans of the series who, to date, have seen only one complete season released. I for one will protest with my wallet. It stays shut until the complete seasons are released.

LOCI Shall Rule The Universe!
A lot of people have been complaining about why would you buy just one episode of any particular show. Well let me tell you why. The interviews on this DVD allow insight into the show and let you better understand issues that come up in virtually every episode. You get to know the actors and their characters on a deceptively personal level. If you are a hard-core fan, then you need this DVD. Stop complaining that it is just one episode, because really, it's a lot more than that. It took me inside "Law and Order: Criminal Intent," and that's one place I've always wanted to go!

Boxed set due in October
Several reviewers have wanted to know why the boxed set was not released.

This one episode DVD was meant as a teaser to wet the appatite for the boxed set due in October.

An essential purchase for all Vincent D'Onofrio fans
I realize that $20 seems like a lot to spend for a single LOCI episode that you probably already have on tape. But there are two reasons why you should buy this DVD today. First, the interview featurette is a rare opportunity to see D'Onofrio out of character and hear him talking as himself. We also get interesting trivia and fun behind-the-scenes details from Dick Wolf, Rene Balcer, Kathryn Erbe, Courtney Vance, and Jamey Sheridan. Second, the best way to get the LOCI first and second year box sets released fast is to show the depth of the fan base by buying this item. It's a cherry on top bonus to get the original L&O pilot, which is very rarely shown on TV. V-sisters and Gorenistas (and you know who you are), you need this in your collection. Trust me! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good Movie.
Very cute Light hearted drama/comedy. Frannie returns home to the town of Silk Hope in one of the Carolinas after her dissapearing to god knows where for three months or so, she finds that things have changed; Her mom has passed away, Her sister wants to sell the House and Farm in which she has grown up on. Frannie realizes that she needs to "TRY" and become a responsible person so that she can buy out her sister's half of the house and Farm because she feels it should remain in the family. The comedy in this movie is that Frannie has a very hard time trying to remain focused on being responsible. Also Frannie for the first time finds herself falling in love, also decides on a whim to pig farm, and in the meanwhile she tries scaring away potential buyers of her land. I think Farrah shines in this movie. By the end of the movie Frannie is not the only person who grows up, Each character involved receives a positive impact set by Frannie's will and determination. Great Picture Quality DVD. No extras, just Scene index and Play. (this was a television movie, so therefore only in Full Screen). Enjoy!! :) ... Read more