Looking for Alibrandi (2000)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Kate Woods

Writers:

Melina Marchetta (novel)
Melina Marchetta (screenplay)

Release Date:

4 May 2000 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Sometimes what you're looking for is closer than you think...

Plot:

A teenage Australian girl deals with the traumas of everyday life. These include her difficult relationship with her single mother...

Plot Keywords:

Single Mother | Broken Nose | Self Identity | School Dance | Grandmother

Awards:

7 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Greta Scacchi	...	Christina Alibrandi
Anthony LaPaglia	...	Michael Andretti
Elena Cotta	...	Katia Alibrandi
Kerry Walker	...	Sister Louise (Nun)
Pia Miranda	...	Josie Alibrandi
Kick Gurry	...	Jacob Coote
Matthew Newton	...	John Barton
Leanne Carlow	...	Sera Conti
Diane Viduka	...	Anna Selicic
Leeanna Walsman	...	Carly Bishop
Michael Gallina	...	Robert
Rosa DiMarte	...	Patrizia
Domenico DiMarte	...	Riccardo
Tyrone Lara	...	Anton Valavic
Geoff Morrell	...	Mr. Barton

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | Hong Kong:IIA | New Zealand:M | Italy:T | Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

Bondi Beach, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Robyn Kershaw Productions

Trivia:

There are thirteen tracks on the soundtrack album. Of these, three do not appear in the film - Killing Heidi's "Weir", Happyland's "Don't You Even Know Who I Am" and Lo-Tel 's "Teenager of the Year ". The trailer mentions two of these bands as being part of the soundtrack - Killing Heidi and Lo-tel - though none of their music is heard in the film. The Killing Heidi song is heard in the background of the trailer itself. The version of the song "Teenager of the Year " heard on the film is performed by Brenda Starr. Happyland are also heard performing "Tintarella Di Luna" during the film.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Christina was conceived in 1945, so born no later than 1946. She had Josie when she was seventeen years old, meaning Josie was born in early 1965 at the very latest (most likely earlier). Josie is seventeen in the film, which would point to a setting around 1980 (give or take). However, several things - costumes, use of mobile phones, musical references, city features, various props and decor items - come from around the turn of the century, some twenty years later.

Quotes:

John Barton: If I could be anything but what I am, I would be tomorrow. If I could be what my father wants me to be, then maybe I could stay for that, too. If I could be what you want me to be, I'd want to stay. But I am what I am, and all I want is freedom.

Movie Connections:

References La dolce vita (1960)

Soundtrack:

Divine

A breath of fresh air

Being only 16 i don't think that I am able to comment on the film's technical qualities or on it's relationship with the novel; I've never read it. What I can say is that Looking for Alibrandi is a wonderful movie. Australian's have finally made a truly excellent teen movie and we have beat the American's at their own game. This was a true breath of fresh air from the typical American high school movie filled with jocks, nerds and cheerleaders. For once the heroine does not win the boy by changing her hairstyle or clothes. Pia Miranda is increadible as Josie Alibrandi and plays her role almost flawlessly, she steals the entire show. Josie has the right mix of strength and vulnerability and shows herself to be a fantastic role model for young girls. Miranda is supported by an equally talented cast who all perform excellently. Kick Gurry (Jacob) and Matthew Newton (John) are outstanding in their roles, as are the entire Alibrandi/Andretti family. It also has to be said that the movie's handling of the issue of teen suicide was mature and eye-opening, thank-you for not lecturing us. Looking for Alibrandi is a story about life, love and finding yourself and it is a credit to all those involved in it.