Three Blind Mice (2008 film)
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Caitlin Stanton
Ewen Leslie
Toby Schmitz
| Three Blind Mice | |
|---|---|
 Three Blind Mice Film Poster | |
| Directed by | Matthew Newton |
| Written by | Matthew Newton |
| Produced by | Ben Davis Caitlin Stanton |
| Starring | Matthew Newton Ewen Leslie Toby Schmitz |
| Cinematography | Hugh Miller |
| Music by | John Foreman |
| Distributed by | Titan View |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Box office | A$9,590 (Australia)[1] |
Three Blind Mice is a 2008 feature film written, directed by and starring Matthew Newton, alongside Ewen Leslie and Toby Schmitz. It premiered at Sydney Film Festival in 2008.[2] To date it has screened at over fourteen international and Australian festivals.[3]
Three young Australian naval officers hit the streets of Sydney for one last night before being shipped out to Iraq. The dynamic between the three friends is uneasy; Sam (Ewen Leslie) has been mistreated at sea and is going AWOL, Dean (Toby Schmitz) has a fiancé and the future in-laws to meet, and Harry (Matthew Newton) just loves playing cards. Throughout the night, the boys struggle with what a night in Sydney can offer, as details of their last six months at sea emerge.[4]
Cast
The film features many distinguished and critically acclaimed Australian actors.[5] The full cast list is as below: (This was also Charles 'Bud' Tingwell's final film before his death).
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Toby Schmitz | LEUT Dean Leiberman |
| Matthew Newton | SBLT Harry McCabe |
| Ewen Leslie | SBLT Sam Fisher |
| Gracie Otto | Emma |
| Marcus Graham | John |
| Clayton Watson | Vito |
| Alex Dimitriades | Tony |
| Pia Miranda | Sally |
| Barry Otto | Fred |
| Heather Mitchell | Kathy |
| Jacki Weaver | Bernie Fisher |
| Charles Tingwell | Bob Fisher (final role) |
| Brendan Cowell | LCDR Glenn Carter |
| Tina Bursill | Candy |
| Bob Franklin |
Themes
Three Blind Mice has been noted as the first portrayal of Australian soldiers serving during the War in Iraq.[6] While Newton has stated the film is not a political statement, it does portray his belief that young men should be making mistakes, rather than going to war.[7] The film also references iconic Australian military legends, such as Gallipoli.[6] Primarily, the film explores what it is to be a man, and what that means to live and act in a male-dominated world today.[8][9]
Production
Three Blind Mice was filmed in a 'Guerilla' style; on location without proper permits and in locations in Sydney that are not often seen on screen.[10] The film relied solely on independent funding, while Screen Australia contributed funds for the film to be transferred to 35mm print.[7] Cast and crew from the film was largely made up of friends of Newton's. Gracie Otto who was a lead support in the film also edited.[11] It has been noted in several reviews that the film was inspired by John Cassavetes, and thus many scenes were improvised around the screenplay.[8] Newton has stated that he intended to make a multi-narrative film, so that every character could treat the film as though they were the lead,[7] rather than rely on a sole protagonist.
Reception
Three Blind Mice was critically well received, earning three and a half stars from both Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton on ABC's At the Movies. Primarily, both reviewers noted the strong performances by the distinguished cast.[12] While the performances by the cast were particularly acclaimed for their freshness,[9] Matthew Newton's screenplay was also commended and noted for its maturity, comedy and realism.[5] His directorial ability was also commended.[6][8][13] In the opening scene Mathew Newton is wearing the epaulettes of a Leut Commander (two and a half rings). In later scenes he is wearing the single ring of a Sub Lieutenant on his jacket. All Officers in the film are wearing their medal ribbons on the right breast, when they should be worn on the left breast.