Mjeteconer Just perfect...

Voxitype Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

InformationRap This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

Janis One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

drc-6 Peter Allen. I remember him from HK when I lived there - the HK Hilton being one of the preferred ex-pat drinking grounds at the time. Latterly, I have seen and loved Hugh Jackman in The Boy from Oz and have been quietly wishing for a filmed portrayal of the life of Australia's greatest song writer. Thanks now to Network Seven, here it is and this intimate and hugely personal mini-series is pretty much perfect. It is riveting from beginning to end and God willing, it deserves to clean up at our next Logie awards ceremony.Much has already been written about the superb performances of Joel Jackson (Peter); Sigrid Thornton (Judy); Rebecca Gibney (Mum) and Ky Baldwin (who was simply AMAZING as young Peter) and to that, I would like to add the wonderfully understated Nick Farnell (Dad) in a role that no actor wants to play in 2015, given Australia's abhorrence of domestic violence.In other words, all the actors (leading and supporting) were brilliant. It can not have been easy for Jackson and Thornton to pretty much 'nail' the vocal and physical nuances of Peter and Judy; in truth, if they had not managed to get this right, the film was going nowhere.........but they did and the result was a triumph. The only real life visual evidence of Mum was on Peter's 'This is your Life' and clearly, Gibney came across as a much more attractive lady. That said, I would say that she was the rock upon which the film stands. She was your perfect mother of the time.I do not believe there is any need for me to re-tell the Peter Allen story, save to say (and to reiterate) what several other competent reviewers have already said......that the director/producers have gone to very great lengths to get all the elements of him and his life properly researched. The subtle reflections of country NSW in the 50's/60's are matchlessly put together and this great team of actors makes the resulting pastiche of the first 40 minutes or so (and what Australia was like, way back then) utterly believable.It was a perfect beginning and without wishing to give anything away, it made for a perfect ending to a marvelous film.When Peter left Australia of course and whilst still 'one of us', he was, then, in reality loved (and owned) by the entire world. His songs have stood the test of time and will go on giving pleasure for ever. If it weren't for Peter, Hugh Jackman would never have won a Tony for The Boy from Oz. Warts and all, Peter Allen was a consummate Aussie entertainer and this film shines the necessary light on what was a truly remarkable career. IT IS NOT TO BE MISSED.I can remember very well, flying into Sydney in the 80's/90's and after we had landed, hearing Peter Allen singing 'I Still Call Australia Home' throughout the cabin. And what about 'that Qantas commercial' for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, with those hundreds of white shirted kids singing it at Uluru and then around the world?! That truly Aussie commercial still brings tears to my eyes and I am man enough to say that this superb film did exactly the same. Watch it all in one go (and edit the ads if you can). I guarantee you'll be swept away and though there are some undoubted elements that might have been better handled, the overall effect is one that any Aussie and anyone else watching from overseas will love and remember for a very long time.

brycefiona No cringing here. This is vintage Australian movie making at its best. Script, casting, directions, delicate camera work - just a perfect production.This had all the ingredients for being soppy and clichéd, but tight scripting and direction keeps it together all the way to its simple ending. It recognizes Peter Allen career as being one filled with the gritty boringness of trying to make it,until his ship sailed in with the all-sails blazing Judy Garland, played in perfect balance by Sigrid Thornton, a role that could have so easily slipped into parody. The clever flatness of colour at times poignantly captures an era of post war Australia when all was not easy on the home-front, but new sounds and media were innocently arising. This series reveals how the Australian film industry has been so dreadfully neglected, as it showcases the ability of our homegrown talent to make world class entertainment.

gbandito I too felt inspired to write a review for the first time after reading the review from an obviously homophobic, unintelligent and self-absorbed child from Perth.No, this inspiring and emotional tribute to the life of a naturally talented man who epitomized a real Aussie battler and still is a true icon of the Australian entertainment industry, obviously wasn't targeted at a demographic that would include the few self-important and immature children who should have been tucked up in bed during this series' Sunday night time slot, Michael Redneck.The casting was excellent and I especially admired the brilliant acting of the understated Rebecca Gibney. Ky Baldwin played the young Peter Allen brilliantly, Sara West a very believable Liza Minelli and Sigrid Thornton an absolutely brilliant Judy Garland.All topped off by the excellent performance of Joel Jackson as Peter Allen, a man I who don't know from past performances, but who I will look for in future performances. This series heads my list of Logie contenders for 2015.

bbewnylorac Joel Jackson puts in a flawless performance as Peter Allen. He's got the gangly dance moves, the voice, and best of all, he's a great actor, never stooping to parody in this - let's face it - unbelievable true story of a small town boy who becomes a huge international star. But all the actors in this lovingly made biopic are perfectly cast - from Ky Baldwin as the young boy Peter, to Rebecca Gibney as his mother, Sara West as Liza Minnelli, and Sigrid Thornton as Judy Garland. The direction is fabulous -- tight, absorbing and confident. The cinematography and costume design are perfect. And the musical numbers are entertaining without being overbearing, because they serve the story, and are not just there for thrills. You can tell the scriptwriters have gone into incredible detail in digging up little pieces of information -- about Allen's father's death, about Allen's relationship with Garland, and his development as a performer. Because of the stigma of AIDS and homophobia, when Allen died, his achievements weren't properly celebrated. This mini-series should put all doubts to rest. He was a great artist and a loving, genuine person.