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TENDER HOOKS

Year: 1988

Classification: M

Runtime: 95 min

Produced In: Australia

Directed By: Mary Callaghan

Produced By: Chris Oliver

Language: English

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NEW UPGRADED FILE! One of the great unsung classics of 1980s Australian cinema, now remastered.. After her acclaimed one-hour docudrama, GREETINGS FROM WOLLONGONG, Mary Callaghan made her sole feature film, TENDER HOOKS - an edgy inner-city romance full of unexpected pleasures and vibrant colour, featuring a marvellous central performance by Jo Kennedy.

VIEW TRAILER HERE: vimeo.com/1124791534

"A film of exceptional charm and assurance and an unfailing lightness of touch ... a comedy of exquisite reverberations."
- Evan Williams, The Australian

"Sparkling entertainment ... a richly observed slice of life."
- Rob Lowing, Sun Herald

"Spiked with real humour and constant invention ,,, film-making with a contemporary urgency quite rare in local cinema."
- Chris Stafford, Ram Magazine

NOMINATED FOR BEST ACTRESS (Jo Kennedy)
1988 AFI Awards

Mitchell (Jo Kennedy) leaves the comfort of suburban bliss convinced that no-one can assess life who has not experienced it first-hand. Clear about what is not appropriate for her, she is searching for what is: a choice. She takes a job at an inner-city hair salon and a room in a nearby boarding house. Here she meets Gaye, who lives on love and spurts on her asthma inhaler. Through a quirk of fate she meets Rex (Nique Needles) in the hall with not much on but the imprint of a boot on his behind. She takes him in, captivated by his smile. They warm to one another at once. Rex appreciates Mitchell's style and is impossible to ignore. The drawback is he comes fully loaded: Mitchell discovers that where Rex is, trouble follows close behind. He is not so much a criminal as he is loyal to his off-beat mates - he is unable to say no. His pride forbids him to turn down a mate; he goes from one favour to the next, and he loses out every time. He hopes his late-night vigils and bounty of gifts will keep Mitchell agreeable. What he knows about love, romance and caring he has borrowed from pop songs, bubble-gum wrappers, tattoos and bus shelters. When Rex is arrested, after one favour too many, he and Mitch are forced to re-evaluate their relationship and take their bearings.

TRU VU PICTURES presents JO KENNEDY and NIQUE NEEDLES in
"TENDER HOOKS"
co-starring ROBERT MENZIES and ANNA PHILLIPS
Written and directed by MARY CALLAGHAN
Produced by CHRIS OLIVER
Director of photography RAY ARGALL • Editor TONY STEVENS
Associate producer ANNA GRIEVE • Music director GRAHAM BIDSTRUP
Art director KERRIE BROWN • Released by RONIN FILMS
Made with the assistance of the Australian Film Commission

With music by PAUL KELLY, THE STETSONS, THE ZOOT, THE TWILIGHTS and GANG GAJANG

© Tru Vu Pictures, 1988

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