CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU (1983)

Title: CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU

Year of Release: 1983

Director: Carl Schultz

Genre: Drama

Synopsis: In 1930s Australia, PS, a young boy, whose mother passed away early in his life, is caught between two maternal aunts Lila and Vanessa who each seek custody of him.

Within a film history context: Films revolving around custody battles over a child between two opposing parties have been onscreen since the 1920s. One of the first documented movies about the topic was Louis Gasnier's silent film FAINT PERFUME (1925). In this movie, a couple divorce, and battle over the custody of their son, with romantic issues arising as the husband falls for his wife's cousin. More serious was John Robertson's WEDNESDAY'S CHILD (1934). A young child is a pawn between his divorced parents, and his adjustment to this new situation is fraught with difficulty. Matters were somewhat different in BRIGHT EYES (1934), directed by David Butler. With Shirley Temple in the lead role, a young orphaned girl goes to live with a wealthy family, arranged by her uncle, with her godfather vying for her custody. On the other hand, Walter Lang's CARNIVAL (1935) featured a widowed puppet master with a young child, who is sued for custody by his father-in-law, but finds difficulty eluding the determined man. Employment was the motivation for a custody battle in STEPCHILD (1947), directed by James Flood. A woman's marriage breaks up as she wants to keep her job without giving her two young sons attention. The couple divorce, and the husband gains custody of the children, with the woman wanting to stay with her husband, but he is seeking another mother figure for his children, with tenuous results. 

Larry Peerce's ONE POTATO, TWO POTATO (1964) was equally complicated. A white woman divorces her husband, and marries an African-American man, but her former husband seeks custody of their son, in light of his ex-wife's new mixed marriage. Much more extreme in content was THE LAST WOMAN (1976), directed by Marco Ferreri. A man is deserted by his wife, leaving him with an infant son. He then embarks on an affair with a young woman, but his ex-wife seeks custody of their child, the pressure of this making him castrate himself. Controversial for its male, and female nudity, and one violent scene in particular, it gave Gerard Depardieu a showy role. One of the best known films about custody battles was Robert Benton's KRAMER VS. KRAMER (1979). In this movie, a woman leaves her husband, and their young son, but later contests custody, their messy relationship, and the impact on their son the basis of the story. A highly profitable modern drama, it earned four Oscars for best picture, director, and lead actors Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep. CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU could be seen as being as intricate in nature as ONE POTATO, TWO POTATO, and as emotional as KRAMER VS. KRAMER, but otherwise carved its own unique path.

It is one of the most intensive, psychological, and stirring portraits of characters involved in a custody battle for a young child ever filmed. As with many of the films above, special mention going to KRAMER VS. KRAMER, CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU is a movie that takes its time in building the dramatic situations for its viewers which makes one feel for the characters, and deeply comprehend their particular mindsets. CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU has a serene, lush atmosphere that immeasurably assists in this; the story is never rushed, everything is presented and explained thoroughly, with no plot holes or gaps. It is a film that flows effortlessly from scene to scene without any staginess. Some moments of melodrama abound in the film which are to be expected, but these are in keeping with the action, and never out of place. There are further features of the movie that set it apart from other entries in the genre.

It is difficult as such to pinpoint a villain in CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU as everyone's motivations make perfect sense, thus eliminating the easy way out of stacking the cards against certain characters to make them look bad. The characters have been so well defined that they jump off the screen for their realism, their passions highly palpable to the viewer. There are no two-dimensional protagonists here to let down the proceedings, thus making the film hollow. In addition to this, the film lacks the sensational elements that distinguished THE LAST WOMAN, hence leaving a sour taste in the mouth with that movie. CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU is more of a slow burn narrative, the heightened scenes of drama achieved through careful story building without the need for visual excess. A dignified film that deserves its high critical reputation, CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU is an enriching, one of a kind movie experience.

Overview: Born in Hungary, Carl Schultz has directed seven films over his twenty-one year cinematic career, the majority Australian films, with many credits on television. His first film, BLUE FIN (1978) was a family film about a father and son involved in tuna fishing in South Australia, with Hardy Kruger in the lead role. Mr Schultz's second movie, GOODBYE PARADISE (1982) starred Ray Barrett in the story of a former policeman penning a tell-all book about police corruption on the Gold Coast, Queensland, with a string of adverse circumstances eventuating from his novel. It was also the first time Mr Schultz directed Robyn Nevin on screen in this comedic action film. BULLSEYE (1987) was an historical adventure film about a pair of friends in the 1860s who steal cattle, transporting it across Australia. 

One of Mr Schultz's most intimate films was TRAVELLING NORTH (1987). In this comedy-drama, an older couple make the move to the country, with the movie exploring their passions, marriage and life. With seasoned thespians Leo McKern and Julia Blake as the married couple, it was a touching viewing experience. Mr Schultz then made a foray into fantasy and religious themes with THE SEVENTH SIGN (1988). A pregnant woman's anticipation of her child's birth is the starting point of an intricate chain of events with many biblical overtones. Lambasted by critics, it is a complicated work with much suspense and angst to spare. Carl Schultz's final film to date is TO WALK WITH LIONS (1999). The biography of wildlife conservationist George Adamson, it was another of Mr Schultz's films with an adventure background, as was BLUE FIN. CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU is one of Carl Schultz's best-known motion pictures, and undeniably his crowning achievement as director.

As with TRAVELLING NORTH, Mr Schultz concentrates upon a set of characters, presenting them with all their positive traits, flaws and foibles for the audience to take in and consider. There is also the exploration of interpersonal family relationships that BLUE FIN studied to a smaller degree. Where CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU differs is in the utterly compelling, emotional approach to its story and characters that Mr Schultz has accomplished, across a larger number of protagonists than the other films. Viewers can thoroughly relate to, and understand where the characters are coming from, in whatever they do and say. They are three-dimensional in every respect, and never act out of character, or do things which are not true to their beliefs. 

Adapted from the auto-biographical novel of the same name by Sumner Locke Elliott, CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU is an emotionally charged, thoughtful viewing experience, that leaves the spectator satisfied, but also, hopeful. Mr Schultz has created an enthralling mix of drama and pathos, with some subtle comic moments that occur at just the right time, giving the film equilibrium. Always on target, never over the top as a film, it knows how to pull at the heart-strings in its richly textured manner. A fine achievement of the Australian film industry, and one of the best motion pictures ever, CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU is a movie that does both its director Carl Schultz, and Australian cinema, proud.

Acting: CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU has a top-notch cast which make the film a thoroughly vivid viewing experience. Wendy Hughes is touching as Vanessa, one of two sisters vying for custody of PS. What could have been an empty villainess in other hands is given a graceful, sympathetic treatment by the actress, making her actions understandable to the audience. As Vanessa's nemesis, and sister Lila, who also wants PS, Robyn Nevin delivers a strong, equally excellent performance. These actresses work so well together that their animosity fuels the movie, and is one of its many strong points. As PS, the object of everyone's attention, Nicholas Gledhill gives a wonderful account of a strong-willed young boy caught within a tangled web of adult emotions, and many of his own. Impressive given the actor's very young age at the time of the film's production, Mr Gledhill played PS as the innocent, the mischief-maker, and the child seeking to carve his own identity. Supporting roles have also been furnished exceedingly well in CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU.

Geraldine Turner, as Vere, Lila's neighborhood friend, adds her unique personality to the film. An actress adept as being alternately brassy, strong and empathetic, with a wonderfully bawdy nature, Miss Turner lights up the screen in the limited time she has on camera. John Hargreaves, as Logan, also adds his distinctive persona to CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU. While retaining some of his easy-going nature in this film which is on display in his other movies, Mr Hargreaves adds a sympathetic note to the role of the wayward wanderer, with a nice dose of unexpected urbanity that suits him. The final acting of note in CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU was by Peter Whitford as George. Paired well with Robyn Nevin's Lila, Mr Whitford brings his pained George to life, most tellingly during his most emotional scenes, which are haunting to witness. 

Soundtrack: The instrumental score composed by Ray Cook enhances what is taking place on screen immeasurably, without ever being syrupy or overdone. Background music is played throughout CAREFUL, ME MIGHT HEAR YOU, and especially at key moments such as Lila and Vanessa's limousine confrontation, to maximum emotional effect.

Mise-en-scene: Everything presented in front of the camera for viewers makes CAREFUL, ME MIGHT HEAR YOU an authentic movie experience. Costuming by Bruce Finlayson is on target, suited to the characters. The designer makes evident differences in characters' socio-economic levels, with Vanessa's elaborate wardrobe a telling contrast to Lila's more down-to-earth clothing, reflecting her working-class status. Cinematography by John Seale employs a subtle use of colour, ideal for a film set in the 1930s. While the film is visually beautiful, the muted colour assists in capturing life in 1930s Australia without ever being harsh on the eyes. Brighter colour hues would not have assisted the movie, as it is not a technicolor musical, and would consequently have been detrimental. Use of colour in CAREFUL, HE MIGHT HEAR YOU is soft, and appropriate for a film that explores emotions in such a profound manner.

Award-worthy performances in my opinion: Wendy Hughes, Robyn Nevin, Nicholas Gledhill, Geraldine Turner, John Hargreaves, Peter Whitford.

Suitability for young viewers: Suitable for children with adult discretion. Adult themes, low-level violence.

Overall Grade: A

Link: IMDB Page

Trailer