Cirrus@Austlit

A rip-roaringly hilarious look at Sydney in the 1920s through the eyes of two colourful crime queens and a tough, ruthless police officer. The rival girls are Kitty O'Rourke and Big Lil Delaney, and the officer trying to keep control is the Bagman.

Lonely Hearts explores the complex relationship between two middle-aged people who have never had a relationship before. Peter is a piano tuner who, although almost fifty years old, has always lived with his mother. After her death, he joins a dating agency and meets Patricia, a shy bank clerk in her thirties who's afraid of sex. Their friendship blossoms during rehearsals for an amateur theatre production, but falters when Peter's desire becomes too urgent.

Based on Jeannie Gunn's fictionalised autobiography of the same name, the story begins in 1902 with the arrival of Mrs Gunn and her new husband Aeneas in the Northern Territory. They have come to take over management of Elsey Station, a huge cattle and horse property. She is subsequently forced to battle isolation, disease, and the white stockmen who believe the station is no place for a woman. She befriends the local Aboriginal women, but is mystified by their culture. Her affection for the place and the people is tested by frequent tragedy.

(Source: Australian Screen.)

'The film tells the true story of a remarkable relationship between a young teacher and deeply disturbed 13 year-old boy. [...] The product of a broken home, Tom vents his aggression through playing truant, stealing cars and motor bikes, and violent behaviour towards others.

'He and his cronies hang around outside pubs, sipping from cans of beer and taking part in generally anti-social behaviour such as street fights and "gang bangs".

'Not without reason, he is dismissed by most adults as a hopeless case, a delinquent headed for a life of crime.

'Embling attempts to understand Tom's problems, committing himself fully to the boy and providing him with a relationship that is honest and physically secure.

'The teacher and student pass through stages of hostility and caring, frustration and hope, suspicion and trust.

'The relationship is constantly thwarted by the apathy and active opposition of other teachers and officials whose approach is often as brutal as it is archaic.

'Ultimately, Embling and Tom win their fight to a better future.'

Source:

'"Fighting Back" Moved Marshall to Tears', Canberra Times, 12 May 1982, p.24.