BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS

Last night I mentioned that the National Film & Sound Archives do an amazing job restoring forgotten Australian classics. Well this is one they should really pay some attention to (along with most of Frank Howson's other films). Boulevard Of Broken Dreams tells the story is an Australian writer who strikes it lucky in Hollywood and becomes a star. The film introduces us to him at a point in his life when he's decided to give it all up and return home. He desperately tries to make amends with his estranged wife & 9 year old daughter. It feels like a very personal film in many ways and John Water's performances is amongst his best. The use of Melbourne locations is also to the film's credit with the city comes across as a part of who the character is. Two years after Boulevard of Broken Dreams Frank Howson wrote another film called Heaven Tonight which also starred John Waters (alongside Guy Pearce). I consider the two films as companions. Both deal with similar themes on a flip-side. Boulevard is about a man who's at the height of success and wants out, whereas Heaven Tonight is about a man who's washed up and desperately wants in. John Waters stars in both as does Kim Gyngell in similar roles and they're so well written. Penelope Stewart also stars in Boulevard and for the sad few of you who actually pay attention to anything I write, she was previously in Vincent Ward's Vigil. She's great. What also struck me about this film is that it's aged gracefully. Aside from a few dated 80's tunes, the film could have been made last year.

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