Lantana (2001)

Director:

Ray Lawrence

Writers:

Andrew Bovell (play)
Andrew Bovell (screenplay)

Release Date:

4 October 2001 (Australia)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

It's tangled

Plot:

Psychiatrist Valerie Somers disappears one night; Det. Leon Zat is called to investigate; his wife has been getting advice from Somers.

Plot Keywords:

Psychiatrist | Neighbor | Shoe | Marriage | Doctor

Awards:

34 wins & 22 nominations

Cast

Anthony LaPaglia	...	Detective Leon Zat
Rachael Blake	...	Jane 'Janie' O'May
Kerry Armstrong	...	Sonja Zat
Manu Bennett	...	Steve Valdez (as Jon Bennett)
Melissa Martinez	...	Lisa
Owen McKenna	...	Old man in pajamas
Nicholas Cooper	...	Sam Zat
Marc Dwyer	...	Dylan Zat
Puven Pather	...	Drug dealer
Lionel Tozer	...	Police officer
Glenn Suter	...	Police officer
Leah Purcell	...	Detective Claudia Wiss
Barbara Hershey	...	Dr. Valerie Somers
Natasha Guthrie	...	Young girl
James Cullington	...	Man at book launch
Geoffrey Rush	...	John Knox
Peter Phelps	...	Patrick Phelan
Ashley Fitzgerald	...	Eleanor
Vince Colosimo	...	Nik Daniels
Daniella Farinacci	...	Paula Daniels (as Daniela Farinacci)
Keira Wingate	...	Hannah Daniels
Russell Dykstra	...	Michael
Angus Cripps	...	Harry Daniels
William Cripps	...	Harry Daniels
Kay Armstrong	...	Woman dance partner
Glenn Robbins	...	Pete O'May
Jacomb Borra	...	Jacob
Ben Mortley	...	Jose
Gabriella Maselli	...	Sarah, Valerie's secretary
Richard Morecroft	...	Newsreader
Lani John Tupu	...	Patrick's lover (as Lani Tupu)
Lesley Hancock	...	Lover's wife
Angus McGuigan	...	Lover's child
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Di Nuzzo	...	Paramedic #1 (uncredited)

Directed by
Ray Lawrence

Writing credits
Andrew Bovell		(play "Speaking in Tongues")
Andrew Bovell		(screenplay)

Produced by
Mikael Borglund	....	executive producer
Jan Chapman	....	producer
Catherine Jarman	....	line producer
Rainer Mockert	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Steve Hadley
Bruce Haymes
Paul Kelly
Peter Luscombe
Shane O'Mara

Cinematography by
Mandy Walker		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Karl Sodersten

Casting by
Susie Maizels

Production Design by
Kim Buddee

Art Direction by
Tony Campbell

Costume Design by
Margot Wilson

Makeup Department
Robern Pickering	....	makeup artist (as Robbie Pickering)
Jan Zeigenbein	....	hair stylist (as Jan 'Ziggy' Zeigenbein)

Production Management
Karen Downes	....	assistant unit manager
Pat Lacey	....	assistant unit manager
Simon Lucas	....	unit manager
Damian Macey	....	assistant unit manager
Gordon MacPhail	....	post-production supervisor
Greg Refeld	....	assistant unit manager
Stewart Riach	....	assistant unit manager
Susan Wells	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Greg Cobain	....	third assistant director
Jamie Crooks	....	first assistant director
Tom Read	....	second assistant director
Drew Bailey	....	additional assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Peter Annison	....	greens assistant
Suzanne Auerswald	....	greens assistant
Jack Elliot	....	greensman (as Jack Elliott)
Emma Lawrence	....	art department coordinator
Edmund Levine	....	additional art department dresser
Robert Moxham	....	stand-by props (as Robert 'Moxy' Moxham)
Bruce Rieck	....	greens assistant
Faith Robinson	....	props buyer
Faith Robinson	....	set dresser
Katie Sharrock	....	props buyer (as Kate Sharrock)
Katie Sharrock	....	set dresser (as Kate Sharrock)
David Tier	....	art department runner
Jeff Balsmeyer	....	storyboard artist (uncredited)

Sound Department
Syd Butterworth	....	sound recordist
Paul Korber	....	sound attachment
Robert Mackenzie	....	adr artist
Graham McKinney	....	boom operator
Nada Mikas	....	dialogue editor
Linda Murdoch	....	atmosphere editor
Bronwyn Murphy	....	assistant sound editor
Steve Murphy	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby (as Stephen Murphy)
Martin Oswin	....	sound mixer
Andrew Plain	....	sound designer
Roger Savage	....	sound mixer
John Simpson	....	foley artist
Robert Sullivan	....	sound mixer
Lidia Tamplenizza	....	assistant sound editor
Michael Thompson	....	adr artist
Mark Ward	....	sound effects editor
Andy Wright	....	adr artist
Syd Butterworth	....	sound mixer (uncredited)
Greg Steele	....	adr mixer (uncredited)

Stunts
Damian Bradford	....	stunt performer (as Damien Bradford)
Lazaro Cifuentes	....	stunt performer
Paul Doyle	....	stunt performer
Sam Elia	....	stunt performer
Ashley Fairfield	....	stunt performer
Scotty Gregory	....	stunt performer (as Scott Gregory)
Tony Lynch	....	stunt performer
Linda Megier	....	stunt performer
Andrew Owen	....	stunt performer
Puven Pather	....	stunt performer
Tove Petterson	....	stunt performer (as Tove Pettersen)
Brad Praed	....	stunt performer
Glenn Suter	....	assistant stunt coordinator
Glenn Suter	....	stunt performer
Zelie Thompson	....	stunt performer
Lawrence Woodward	....	stunt coordinator
Glenn Suter	....	stunt driver: simulated car crash and precision driving (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Malcolm Booth	....	rigging grip
Shaun Conway	....	gaffer
Graeme Dew	....	rigging grip
David Elmes	....	focus puller
Jesse Gibson	....	epk camera operator
James Hopwood	....	rigging grip
Paul Jackson	....	camera equipment: Panavision
Elise Lockwood	....	still photographer
Gerard Maher	....	video split operator
Beau Moulson	....	electrician
Zac Murphy	....	electrician
David Nichols	....	key grip
Jason Poole	....	electrician
Steve Price	....	best boy electric
Ady Rose	....	assistant grip
Rod Scott	....	rigging grip
Ben Tierney	....	epk camera operator
Michael Vivian	....	dolly grip (as Mick Vivian)
David Williamson	....	camera operator
Matt Windon	....	clapper loader
Philippe Leroy	....	electrician (uncredited)
Matt Windon	....	second assistant camera (uncredited)

Casting Department
Sarah Beardsall	....	casting: UK
Amanda Knight	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Natalie Bracher	....	costume assistant
Mel Dykes	....	costume supervisor
Julie Frankham	....	costume cutter
Amanda Irving	....	stand-by costumes
Marcia Lidden	....	costume cutter

Editorial Department
Kerri Aungle	....	negative cutter
Leo Bahas	....	negative cutter
Tony Beehag	....	negative cutter
Arthur Cambridge	....	color timer
Daniel Lee	....	assistant editor
Vicki McRitchie	....	negative cutter

Music Department
Hugh Counsell	....	assistant music engineer
Paul Kelly	....	music producer
Frank Madrid	....	music consultant: Cuban music
Shane O'Mara	....	music engineer
Shane O'Mara	....	music producer
Matte Voight	....	music engineer
Christine Woodruff	....	music supervisor

Transportation Department
Greg King	....	tracking vehicle operator (as Gregory King)

Other crew
Lesley Aitkin	....	post-production script
Mauricio Alpizar	....	choreographer
Teresa Barker	....	production secretary
Lisa Beedham	....	location attachment
Anni Browning	....	completion guarantor: Film Finances Inc.
Lazaro Cifuentes	....	additional safety supervisor
Nicholas Copping	....	assistant to director
Victoria Courtenay	....	stand-in: Kerry Armstrong
Kathy Croft	....	film stock: Kodak Australia
Jill Davidson	....	insurance
Maria Farmer	....	publicist
Olivier Fontenay	....	laboratory liaison
Jesse Gibson	....	runner
Gina Hallas	....	post-production accountant
Claire Harris	....	unit nurse
Peter Harris	....	location manager
Greg Helmers	....	travel: Traveltoo
Lee-Anne Higgins	....	assistant to producer
Lee-Anne Higgins	....	production notes
Paula Jensen	....	production coordinator
Tony Krawitz	....	director attachment
Tony Leonard	....	insurance: AON Specialty Group
Barry Lord	....	stand-in: Geoffrey Rush
Domonic Mahoney	....	stand-in: Anthony La Paglia (as Dominic Mahoney)
Ivy Mak	....	on set attachment
Kristijana Maric	....	accounting assistant
Jamie Marshall	....	laboratory liaison
Christopher Mayer	....	additional location scout (as Chris Mayer)
Victoria Mielewska	....	dialect coach: Anthony LaPaglia
Clare Mirabello	....	legal representative
Christine Moran	....	financial controller
Sarah Munro	....	tutor: children
Amanda Newton	....	title designer
Amanda Newton	....	title producer
Peter Newton	....	title designer
Peter Newton	....	title producer
Claire Pollard	....	caterer
Jessie Robson	....	location attachment (as Jesse Robson)
Phillip Roope	....	additional location scout
Klan Samadi	....	choreographer
Francesco Strati	....	double: Harry
Kathe Thomas	....	stand-in: Barbara Hershey
Kristin Voumard	....	continuity
John Walton	....	safety supervisor
Tom Waygood	....	film stock: Kodak Australia
James Wohl	....	double: Harry
Liz Wright	....	liaison: Todd-AO West
Lindsay Cole	....	security officer (uncredited)
Jason Mack	....	security officer (uncredited)
Les Roberts	....	security officer (uncredited)
Glenn Suter	....	assistant safety (uncredited)

Thanks
Sergeant Julie Boon	....	grateful acknowledgment
Martin Cayzer	....	grateful acknowledgment
Sergeant Stephen Conroy	....	grateful acknowledgment
John Highfield	....	grateful acknowledgment
Catriona Hughes	....	special thanks
Paul Jackson	....	grateful acknowledgment
Terry Jennings	....	special thanks
George Whaley	....	grateful acknowledgment

Production Companies

• Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC)
• Jan Chapman Productions (as Jan Chapman Films)
• MBP (Germany)

Distributors

• A-Film Distribution (2003) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Palace Films (Australia) (theatrical)
• Palace Films (New Zealand) (theatrical)
• A-Film Home Entertainment (200?) (Netherlands) (video)
• Alamode Film (Germany)
• Bac Films (France)
• DeA Planeta Home Entertainment (Spain)
• EuroVideo (Germany) (video)
• Fandango
• Lions Gate Films
• Madman Entertainment (2007) (Australia) (DVD)
• Universal Home Video (Brazil) (DVD)
• Yleisradio (YLE) (2007) (Finland) (TV)

Other Companies

• AON Specialty Group  insurance
• Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)  footage: ABC news supplied by
• Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC)  financed with the assistance of
• Bose Australia  grateful acknowledgement of assistance
• Camera Cooks  catering
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera dollies
• Coast FM - Adelaide  soccer footage supplied by
• Digital Pictures  rushes transfer
• EMI Records  soundtrack
• Ericcson  grateful acknowledgement of assistance
• Films Finances  completion guarantee (as Film Finances Inc.)
• Guerlian  grateful acknowledgement of assistance
• Huzzah Sound  sound editing facilities
• Karl Marks  editing facilities
• Maizels Pty. Ltd.  extras casting
• Maria Farmer Public Relations  publicity
• Mosman SES  grateful acknowledgement of assistance
• NSW Police Service  special thanks
• Negative Cutting Services  negative cutting
• New South Wales Film & Television Office  developed with the assistance of
• Nine Network Australia  footage: Today Show courtesy of
• Optical & Graphics  title design and production
• Ryde SES  grateful acknowledgement of assistance
• Saab Automobiles Australia  special thanks
• Sheridan Australia  grateful acknowledgement of assistance
• Sing Sing South  music recorded at
• Sony Australia  grateful acknowledgement of assistance
• Soundfirm  sound mixing facilities (as Soundfirm, Sydney)
• Southern Star Endemol  footage: "Catchy Kraze" courtesy of
• Spectrum Films International  sound post-production facilities
• Todd-AO Studios  adr: Los Angeles (as Todd-AO West)
• Traveltoo  travel
• Tress Cocks & Maddox  legal representation
• Who Dares  traffic control and security
• Wiggley Tones  audio: "The Wiggles" courtesy of
• Yikesville  music recorded at

MPAA:

Rated R for language and sexuality.

Runtime:

121 min

Country:

Australia | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | USA:TV-MA (cable rating) | Australia:M | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:15 | USA:R | Canada:AA | Singapore:M18

Filming Locations:

Balmain, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC)

Trivia:

The first film to win all of the top six categories of the Australian Film Institute (AFI) awards: best picture, best director, best actress, best actor, best supporting actress, best supporting actor. It also won for best adapted screenplay. This record remained unbroken until all 13 AFI categories were swept by Somersault (2004).

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Nik is at the police station explaining what happened the night he picked up Valerie, we see it as he is describing it - and as she gets into his truck, you can hear the door slam before it is even shut.

Quotes:

Leon Zat: [Leon has chest pains after having sex with Jane] I get this pain in my chest sometimes.
Jane O'May: You know, you really should have told me that you have a weak heart.
Leon Zat: I don't.
Jane O'May: It's because I don't want to have an affair with...
Leon Zat: For Christ's sake, I don't have a weak heart, all right? This is not an affair, it's a one-night stand that happened twice.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "High Chaparall: Robert Englund (#2.5)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Que Sabes Tu De Amor

Intelligent Test of Loyalty and Love Among Adults

If Miramax had been distributing "Lantana," you'd have heard as much about this movie as "In the Bedroom."

Anthony LaPaglia matches Tom Wilkinson for a low-burning but implosive performance. New to U.S. audiences, Kerry Armstrong is captivating.

While it's absolutely fascinating to see how screenwriter Andrew Bovell opened up his play "Speaking in Tongues," though both stand on their own, particularly for their frank look at the issue of the frailty of trust and betrayal, between husbands and wives, lovers, families and friends.

The movie makes much better thematic use of a cinematic technique of visual coincidences that other films have used as a gimmick. Here the coincidences provide crucial, ever more difficult tests, leading to either sins of omission or sins of commission as those without trust jump to conclusions or hold on to their love and faith in their partner.

The music is by Paul Kelly and is superbly atmospheric, creating a noir atmosphere and building up the tension with a continuing theme that alternates with sexy salsa music. In particular, a leit motif plays ominously whenever the titular, tropical plant fills the screen.

The crowded audience interpreted ironic comments as high comedy, which was annoying, but perhaps helped to break the tension. There was a lot of audience talking as the story was half-told visually --a particularly neat change from the original play--and the coincidences would be revealed to the audience.

This is a sophisticated film for grown-ups that absolutely respects the intelligence of its viewers.

(originally written 1/21/2002)