Wonderful character development!

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

This is an amazing movie. It digs into deep personal feelings, no matter if you're gay or not. It shows a beautiful side of being human. This movie talks about love. It is cliché, but it is so true. It talks about friendship with love, how important it is for most of us to have the right partner and the supportive family to be just happy. If you are not a fan of Russell Crowe, watch this movie anyway. It may give you another sight of his early career I was myself ignorant about. And I don't need to say how brilliant Thompson is.I wish the tale would have a longer time line, and talk about what happens after.

The Australian film "The Sum of Us," which was adapted by David Stevens from his own play, portrays the close relationship between a widowed father and his openly gay son. Although the play has been "opened up" in terms of breaking out of the stage production's single set, Stevens has retained several scenes in which the characters talk directly to the audience. A gimmick even on stage, these actors' asides to the viewer intrude on the story and, in one particular instance, completely destroy the reality of the situation. When an actor addresses the audience, he is saying in effect "this is only a movie and I am only an actor playing a part." However, despite this flaw, which is a serious one, the film offers two fine performances by Russell Crowe and Jack Thompson and an often-memorable story of love and the search for love.Although Harry Mitchell, played by Thompson, is an incredibly tolerant and understanding father, he is the proverbial "too much of a good thing." In his seemingly endless desire to see his son find the right mate, he is intrusive, overbearing, and completely oblivious to his own meddling. However, Thompson is such an amiable actor and imbues the character with so much charm that the viewer, like his son, has to forgive him anything. In an early role, young Russell Crowe already shows his range as an actor. Clad in short cutoffs throughout most of the film, Crowe also displays his physical charms as well for interested fans. While his looks are not classically handsome, his appeal is undeniable, and, to his credit, he does not play the character of Jeff with any hint of stereotypical gay mannerisms, and he is not averse to displaying affection towards another man.Although the movie follows Jeff's search for Mr. Right and Harry's search for Miss Right, the most touching and haunting scenes in the film and the play before it relate to the relationship that Harry's mother had with a woman named Mary. The two women lived and loved each other for 40 years before well meaning, but unintentionally cruel, relatives separated them "for their own good." The separation of his mother and her lover haunts Harry with the thoughts of what the two women discussed on their last night together, knowing that it was the last time that they would see each other. On stage, the story of the two women brought the audience to tears. Related visually on screen, the episode will haunt viewers as much as it did Harry.While certainly not a classic or even a groundbreaking film, "The Sum of Us" is competent, entertaining, warm, and full of hope that the world is moving in the right direction.

It's been a while, like some ten years now, that I discovered The Sum of Us VHS and fell for Russell. I now have a DVD with subtitles. I haven't seen some of his early films but contrary to the American generalized opinion, I dislike Gladiator and that seems like a heresy to so many people. Well, I'm glad to be that heretic ! I also disliked Cinderella Man. But I love others, like The Insider, Master and Commander and many others. Comments like I've read in so many pages of adoration and repulse are to me like everyone has a right to his own opinion. As for mine, I would like to be close to Russell this lifetime and maybe some of the next.

I have seen every movie Russell Crowe has ever appeared in and this is my absolute favourite.Forget gladiator,(which I liked,but felt he should have won the Oscar for A BEAUTIFUL MIND) and his other big Hollywood movies, if you want to see crowe at the top of his form watch this .His style is flawless as if he isn't acting at all which is I suppose the hallmark of great talent 'his ability to make it look so easy.The story is not a new one ,that elusive search for love we all have,only here the main character is gay.His dad played by Jack Thompson, is wonderful but a bit too enthusiastic about helping his son find Mr. Right which is where this movie veers off the beaten path.There are no secrets between father and son(a refreshing change to say the least) and russells date for the night seems overwhelmed that his father knows all about his lifestyle and does everything in his power to understand and help his son. John Polson plays greg(better known as Gary) russells date and his home life could not be different from that of Jeffs(russells character). I don't want to give too much away suffice to say this movie makes you laugh(dripping taps come to mind) and cry(the hospital scene for one).I have never felt so compelled to promote a movie as this one so please everyone go out and buy this you'll love it. Also heaven's burning my second favourite Russell Crowe movie.