WHAT ABOUT SAL?

Australia, 2023, 97 minutes, Colour.

Gerard O'Dwyer, Kaarin Fairfax, John Jarratt, Peter Hehir, Ric Herbert, Pearl Herbert, Lewis Fitz-Gerald, Joanne Samuel, Roger Ward.

Directed by John Jarratt.

An Australian film with heart, and sometimes some tears. It has been written and directed by veteran actor, John Jarratt, who first starred in films in the 1970s. Now, almost half a century later, he has focused on a drama, the central character, Sal, with Down Syndrome, his mother dying from lung cancer, his father absent and unknown, the only clue his being a rock singer in the 1980s.

The great strength of the film is in the performance by Gerard O’Dwyer, Down Syndrome himself, who has appeared in quite a number of films and television programs. Here he is in his 30s, holds down a job at a store, has good friends, and is devoted to his single mother, Sophie, Kaaren Fairfax.

But, the main thrust of the film is Sal’s search for his father, venturing out on his own, encountering quite a number of characters on the way, an alcoholic homeless man who does offer some good advice even though, at the end, drunk, rejecting him. Then there is the musician from the past, played by Ric Herbert, playing at the club where Sal decides to try to find his father. The musician puts Sal in touch with an agent, Roger Ward, who is able to identify the father.

While everyone is anxious and searching for Sal, he is meeting his alcoholic father, Tommy, played by Jarratt himself, who sings at an aged care home. Clash, difficulties, some acceptance, Tommy eventually going to the hospital and encountering Sophie, her demands about his care for her son, AA meetings, difficulties about Tommy’s parking fines and lapsed driving licence, but, hope for the future.

Besides John Jarratt, there are quite a number of Australian character actors who have been in films and television programs for almost half a century, Kaaren Fairfax, Roger Ward, Joanne Samuel (both from the original Mad Max), Lewis FitzGerald, Peter Hehir.

1. An Australian story? Universal? Down Syndrome?
2. The Sydney settings, homes, hospitals, clubs, AA meetings…?
3. The musical score, the focus on songs and singing, the ballads, the lyrics?
4. Gerard O’Dwyer and his performance as Sal? Age, experience? Humanity? Strong personality, direct, honest? His relationship with Sophie, scaring her on the way home, the meals, dancing together, absolute trust, her experience, no memories of the father, the one night stand, but her love for Sal, Salvador?
5. Sal, his work at the store, exercise, the friendship with Pearl, the conversations with her? Her support? His concern about his mother, her cough, smoking, lung cancer? Her collapse, taking her to hospital, the long time in hospital?
6. Sal and his quest for his father, some clues, June-July 1983, the one night stand, the rock band, his decision to search for his father? Not wanting to go into a group home? Going away, his absence, reassuring his mother, her anxiety, the friendship with Dennis, the karate classes, Dennis as older brother rather than father, his helping the search? On the media?
7. Sal, off on his adventures, the search, the encounter with the homeless man, touch of friendship, the drink, his suggestions about bands and clubs? Going to the club, the encounter with Herbie, the music, the fans, Herbie friendly, listening, taking Sal home, his daughter’s room, the guest room, taking him to see the agent?
8. Daisy, the agent, his office, the records, the name of the singer, the band, Tommy O’Dwyer?
9. Sal going to Tommy’s house, sitting outside, the bad reception, Sal’s declarations, Tommy and his drinking, his neighbour helping sale, going to the home for the elderly, stopping for the alcohol, Tommy and the fans, singing?
10. Sal and his pressurising Tommy, Tommy’s reactions, taking him in, the alcohol collapse, Sal listening, his declarations of love, Tommy weeping?
11. The credibility of Sal rehabilitating Tommy, Herbie’s help, going to the AA meetings, the success of meetings, the effect on Tommy, becoming sober?
12. Sal going to see Sophie hospital, her anxiety, bringing in Tommy, Sophie and her stern response, for Tommy’s care of Sal?
13. Sophie’s death, the funeral, the aftermath, the police coming with the authority, Tommy and his debts, the conditions, his return, reunited with Sal?