Bob Ellis was an Australian political commentator and writer, who wrote or co-wrote seven novels, a dozen non-fiction books, a dozen plays and screenplays for 15 films. He was known for his witty, political and controversial writing, and this is evident in this film. He also directed three of his screenplays, of which Unfinished Business was the first.
The strength of this film is its dialogue between the two main characters, Geoff and Maureen, as they discuss their past and who was to blame for the failure of their relationship, as well as the issues around their present situation, where Maureen only wants Geoff's sperm but Geoff wants to start again, and lastly about what their future will be. The dialogue is full of pithy observations on love and relationships, faintly reminiscent of Woody Allen or Richard Linklater's films. Fawdon and Clayton both manage these scenes very well.
Where the film fails somewhat are the lovemaking scenes in Palm Beach, where Clayton seems unconvincing as Maureen's long lost lover. The scenes do capture some of the awkwardness of real life sex, but do not seem to fit the characters.
Nevertheless, the film is quite funny at times, and poignant at others, as the two try to come to terms with past disappointments and current dissatisfactions.
The strength of this film is its dialogue between the two main characters, Geoff and Maureen, as they discuss their past and who was to blame for the failure of their relationship, as well as the issues around their present situation, where Maureen only wants Geoff's sperm but Geoff wants to start again, and lastly about what their future will be. The dialogue is full of pithy observations on love and relationships, faintly reminiscent of Woody Allen or Richard Linklater's films. Fawdon and Clayton both manage these scenes very well.
Where the film fails somewhat are the lovemaking scenes in Palm Beach, where Clayton seems unconvincing as Maureen's long lost lover. The scenes do capture some of the awkwardness of real life sex, but do not seem to fit the characters.
Nevertheless, the film is quite funny at times, and poignant at others, as the two try to come to terms with past disappointments and current dissatisfactions.
