Don's Party

Don's Party is a captivating and incredibly relatable Australian comedy-drama film directed by Bruce Beresford and written by David Williamson. First released in 1976, it boasts a star-studded cast featuring John Hargreaves, Pat Bishop, and the venerable Graham Kennedy, among others. The film takes place in the middle-class home of Don and Kath Henderson and captures the private lives of everyday people against a historical backdrop.

The narrative of Don's Party unfolds on the evening of the Australian 1969 general election, an emotionally charged time during which Australia's Liberal-Country Coalition government, led by John Gorton, was challenged intensely by the Australian Labor Party under Gough Whitlam. Don, an unhappily married, middle-aged man played by John Hargreaves, decides to throw a party to watch the election results with his friends. This party, much like the political face-off that it is centered around, is filled with heated debates, personal conflicts, surreptitious escapades, and humorous adventures.

Each character at the party represents a different face of the Australian middle class during this era of political confusion and transformation. Pat Bishop plays Kath, Don's nagging wife, who's frustrated with Don's apathetic behavior towards their marriage. Graham Kennedy gives a stunning performance in the role of Mal, a raucous 'lad' who is a dentist by day and a riotous party-goer by night. Other memorable characters include a cynical school teacher, a brash advertising executive and his wife, a perpetually romantic drunk, and others.

The movie's genius lies in the fact that it doesn't turn this party into a simple backdrop for cheap thrills and farcical humour. No, it uses the occasion as a societal microcosm and the characters as symbolic representatives of the different political, social, and personal sentiments that were prominent during that time in Australia. It is as much a political commentary as it is a domestic drama. Every laughter and each tear in the film are deftly used to peel back layers to reveal the raw truths of the human heart and the society it inhabits.

One of the unique aspects of Don's Party is how it intermingles humor with an undercurrent of despair and disenchantment. The characters might be laughing on the surface, but underneath, there is a sizzling tension and turmoil - much like the heated political climate they are immersed in. Although the film is set over 50 years ago, the human emotions and political issues that it explores are still relevant today, making it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with viewers.

Bruce Beresford's distinct direction style brings these fraught layers to life compellingly, ensuring that the narrative never teeters into slapstick comedy or pointless drama. Beresford, who has also directed iconic films like "Breaker Morant" and "Driving Miss Daisy," creates a lived-in and believable world where the audience feels like they are witness to a real party rather than watching a movie.

David Williamson's thoughtfully written characters are vivid and real, and they're brought to life by the brilliant performances from the cast. Hargreaves' portrayal of Don as a man wavering on the edge of despair and buoyancy is particularly gripping. Likewise, Bishop's portrayal of Kath brings an insightful perspective of a dissatisfied wife in a stagnating marriage, while Kennedy's boisterous and free-spirited Mal keeps the audience entertained throughout.

The technical aspects of the film also contribute to its overall charm. The cinematography is intimate, making it seem like you're simply walking around the party experiencing the tension firsthand. The music and sound design complement the narrative beautifully, blending in seamlessly with the plot and capturing the varying rhythms of the party - the laughter, the arguments, the secrets, and the heartaches.

All in all, Don's Party is a brilliant exploration of politics and human dynamics set against the backdrop of one tension-filled night. It's a film that shows the rawness of humanity in all its glory and despair, making it an essential watch for anyone interested in the complexities of life, relationships, and societal change. Whether you're a historian interested in Australian politics, a cinema enthusiast seeking an engrossing drama, or someone simply looking for a film that step away from the ordinary, Don's Party is sure to captivate you with its authenticity, humor, heart, and insight.