Flirting (film)

Kennedy Miller Studios
Industry	Film production
Headquarters	Sydney, Australia
Products	Films (including the Mad Max Trilogy, Flirting)

Flirting, a 1991 Australian coming-of-age comedy-drama, was both penned and directed by John Duigan. The narrative centers on a romantic connection between two adolescents, featuring Noah Taylor reprising his role as Danny Embling from Duigan's 1987 film The Year My Voice Broke. The ensemble also includes performances by Thandiwe Newton and Nicole Kidman.

As the second entry in Duigan's autobiographical trilogy, Flirting was produced by Terry Hayes, Doug Mitchell, Barbara Gibbs, and George Miller through Kennedy Miller Studios, renowned for the Mad Max Trilogy. The movie received the 1990 Australian Film Institute Award for Best Film, following the success of its predecessor in 1987.

Plot

Set in 1965, the story follows 17-year-old Danny, who is sent to the all-boys St. Albans boarding school in rural New South Wales as a measure to curb his delinquent behavior. Socially inept and nicknamed "Bird" because of his stammer and distinctive nose, Danny’s sole companion is Gilbert.

During a rugby game, Danny encounters Thandiwe, whose father is Ugandan and mother of Kenyan-British descent; she attends the nearby all-girls Cirencester Ladies’ College. Their relationship unfolds within a context of rigid school regulations and racial prejudices; Thandiwe is frequently branded as defiant by school authorities. Their bond strengthens through shared experiences such as a debate and a school dance.

Danny introduces their families to one another, but escalating political turmoil forces Thandiwe’s family to return to Uganda. Before departing, she secretly spends a night with Danny, an act that leads to his expulsion. Although she initially maintains contact through letters from Uganda, communication eventually stops until a letter arrives from Nairobi assuring her well-being.

Cast

Noah Taylor as Danny Embling
Thandiwe Newton as Thandiwe Adjewa
Nicole Kidman as Nicola Radcliffe
Marshall Napier as Mr. Rupert Elliott
Kym Wilson as Melissa
Naomi Watts as Janet
Les Hill as Greg Gilmore
Judi Farr as Shella Embling
Femi Taylor as Letitia Adjewa

Production

The screenplay for Flirting was actually completed prior to The Year My Voice Broke. While addressing universal themes related to young love, it also explores elements characteristic of the "Australian identity," such as existential solitude and cultural connections to Great Britain. Filming locations included Sydney, Bathurst, and Braidwood in New South Wales, with scenes shot at St Stanislaus College in Bathurst.

This film represents one of Nicole Kidman’s final Australian projects before her transition into Hollywood, although she later returned for Baz Luhrmann’s productions. Kidman had previously collaborated with director Duigan on the Australian miniseries Vietnam. In later revelations, actress Thandiwe Newton disclosed that Duigan groomed and sexually abused her beginning from her audition at age 16.

Music

"Proserpina" – John Duigan and Sarah de Jong
"(By the) Sleepy Lagoon" – Harry James
"The Wasps" – Ralph Vaughan Williams, performed by Queensland Symphony Orchestra
"Johnny Get Angry" – Joanie Sommers
"Tutti Frutti" – Little Richard, Dorothy La Bostrie, Joe Lubin
"I Just Wanna Make Love to You" – Willie Dixon
"The Moochie" – Sidney Bechet
"With a Girl Like You" – The Troggs (released August 1966)
"Little Egypt" – Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
"Big Bad John" – Jimmy Dean

Reception

Flirting achieved box office earnings of $1.66 million in Australia and $2.42 million in the United States, garnering extensive critical praise. The film was included in Roger Ebert's Top 10 Films of 1992 and secured the 46th position on Entertainment Weekly's compilation of the 50 Best High School Movies.

Vincent Canby from The New York Times commended the acting talents of Newton and Taylor, emphasizing the film’s understated atmosphere and its deliberate avoidance of excessive sentimentality, although he viewed it as somewhat less innovative compared to comparable titles. Desson Thomson of The Washington Post underscored the film’s engaging scenes and sharp dialogue, which enhanced its overall appeal.

Awards

At the 1990 AFI Awards, the movie earned multiple accolades:

Best Film awarded to Terry Hayes, Doug Mitchell, and George Miller
Best Editing Achievement credited to Robert Gibson
Best Production Design Achievement given to Roger Ford

Additionally, it received nominations for:

Best Sound Achievement (Antony Gray, Ross Linton, Phil Judd)
Best Supporting Actor (Bartholomew Rose)
Best Cinematography Achievement (Geoff Burton)

Robert Gibson, the film’s editor, recorded his acceptance speech for the Best Editing Award using a handheld camera. This footage was later incorporated into his personal documentary Video Fool for Love, which delves into his own life story.

External links

Flirting at the Australian Film Commission
Flirting on Oz Movies
Flirting at the National Film and Sound Archive