Cheap Proof (Video) (Hugo Weaving, Geneviève Picot, Russell Crowe) (Jocelyn Moorhouse) Price

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Customer Reviews of Proof

Hugo Weaving as Martin displays his trademark intelligence and sensitivity. Martin is smarter than hell but socially maladept. Andy is a charming ne'er-do-well who accepts the "job" of being Martin's eyes out of a combination of pity, what-the-hell, and actual liking for the guy.

Geneviève Picot does a fine job as Celia, Martin's housekeeper who is intensely attracted to him and regularly tries to seduce him - advances he routinely rejects. Geneviève's Celia is obsessive, manipulative, domineering, rude and yet still, in some bizarre, disturbing fashion, sexy. And if you think that's easy....try it some time.

As the movie starts, Martin's life is extremely regimented and limited. His only real relationship is one of conflict with Celia whom he keeps at arms length. But still he endures the pressure of her advances, her attempts at manipulation, the little cruelties when she's displeased with him and deliberately moves objects into his path for him to trip over. His relationship with her may be sick, but she's all he has. Celia had the job of describing Martin's photos to him before Martin gave the job to Andy because - for good reason - he doesn't trust Celia.

We have two great actors (and one great actress) in this film, all doing extraordinary work. In a quiet way, this movie is about Martin battling for his soul, fighting to become a whole human being. His relationship with Andy is the first time in his life he's ever reached out to another person. It's the story of how this friendship between very different individuals, its rewards and disappointments, gives Martin the strength to make badly needed changes in his life.

Favorite line of the movie: "I forgot." Trust me, in the context it's delivered, this is absolutely hilarious. My girlfriend, after watching Proof with me, for weeks and months afterward, would suddenly look at me and say, "I forgot," before bursting into laughter.

Proof is a superb film, an actor's movie with performers fully up to the job. To quote Roger Ebert - though he was talking about a different show - "I just want to hug this movie."

CULT MOVIES 34
34. PROOF (drama, 1991) Martin (Hugo Weaving) has been blind from birth. Unloved by his mother because of his handicap, she would lie to him when describing the outside world. Because of this Martin does not rely on anyone and instead takes photos that serve to 'proof' of things he can't see. He meets Andy (Russell Crowe) young kitchen-hand whose simple honesty Martin comes to trust. They become friends and for the first time Martin is able to trust someone. Celia (Genieve Picot) is in love with Martin ever since she started working as his housekeeper. Though Martin doesn't love her he keeps her on because it makes him feel good. They both like the idea of controlling each other in different ways. Celia's jealousy, though, causes her to destroy Martin's newfound friendship.

Critique: Perceptive character study was written and directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse. Her feminine touch shines through as deceit; trust and jealousy are the main themes (similar to a soapy). The interesting (masochistic) relationship of the 3 characters is fun to watch. They are all damaged people looking to feed off someone else so their egos can be mended somewhat. In a way, the story is also about obsession and how Martin's handicap makes it all the more difficult to fight back. There are also hysterical touches of comedy, such as when Martin is taught by Andy to drive a car for the first time and are pulled over by police. Made in 1991, at a time when Australian films were making a resurgence ('Death in Brunswick', 'Romper Stomper', etc), Proof has 'proven' to be the best of the lot. Great musical score by the group 'Not Drowning, Waving'.

QUOTE: Martin: "It's hollow."

SUBTLE HUMOR, INTUITIVE AND PERSONAL
I SAW THIS MOVIE ON TV. IT STARTS WITH A YOUNG BLIND BOY THAT'S LISTENING TO HIS MOM DESCRIBE THE VIEW OF OUTSIDE FROM THE WINDOW. WHEN SHE TELLS HIM THERE IS A GARDENER OUTSIDE HE IMMEDIATELY THINKS SHE IS LYING. HE IS GIVEN A CAMERA FOR A GIFT ONE DAY AND TAKES A PIC OF THE GARDEN (HE HAS HIS MOM POINT HIM IN THE DIRECTION THE GARDENER IS SUPPOSE TO BE IN) AS PROOF THAT THERE INDEED ISN'T A MAN IN THE GARDEN. HE SAVES THE PIC UNTIL HE CAN FIND SOMEONE HE TRUSTS TO TELL HIM WHAT'S IN IT///AS AN ADULT LIVING ALONE HE CONTINUES HIS "PROOF" PHOTOGRAPHY OFTEN IN THE PARK, WHERE HE TAKES ALONG HIS DOG TO ALLOW IT TO RUN LOOSE. BUT EVERYTIME HE CALLS HIS LOYAL DOG WHEN IT'S TIME TO GO, HIS DOG DOESN'T COME FOR SOMETIME. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN HE IS AT THE PARK AND THIS BEWILDERS HIM SO HE TAKES A SERIES OF PICS HOPING TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY OF WHAT IS KEEPING HIS DOG///THERE ARE 2 OTHER CHARACTERS INVOLVED: A BITTER, CONIVING, OBSESSIVE, VINDICTIVE HOUSEKEEPER THAT IS SUFFERING FROM UNREQUITTED LOVE OF HER EMPLOYER (WHICH IS A REASON HE KEEPS HER SO HE CAN PITY HER INSTEAD OF HER PITYING HIM). SHE PLAYS MIND GAMES & MAKES THINGS DIFFICULT. THEN THERE IS A FRIEND THE PHOTOGRAPHER MAKES AT A RESTAURANT THAT HE BEGINS TO HANG OUT WITH AND TRUSTS HIM TO DESCRIBE HIS PHOTOS TO HIM. HIS FRIEND'S LOYALTY IS TESTED WHEN HE MEETS THE HOUSEKEEPER///THIS ISN'T A ROMANTIC MOVIE OR A LOVE TRIANGLE AT ALL. INFACT THE PHOTOGRAPHER VERY MUCH DISLIKES HIS HOUSEKEEPER. IT'S A QUIET MOVIE, LETTING THE VIEWER INTO SOMEONE'S EVERYDAY PERSONAL LIFE AND DIFFICULTIES. IT SEEMS TO ME THE MAIN CHARACTER IS EMOTIONALLY INDEPENDANT AND PRACTICAL AND INHIBITED OR IS JUST TOO PROUD TO SHOW THAT HE IS OTHERWISE///PLEASE KEEP YOUR EYES GLUED TO THE TV WHEN THE DRIVE-IN SEEN ARRIVES. IT'S SO HILARIOUS! I WISH THEY WOULD MAKE A FOLLOW UP MOVIE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIS LIFE CONTINUE BUT WITH MORE EMOTION. HE WAS PASSIONATE BUT SUPRESSED AS WELL. IT'S SO DYNAMIC THOUGH WITH SUCH A SMALL AMOUNT OF CHARACTERS. YOU'LL BE HOOKED FROM BEGINNING TO END. THERE ARE NO BORING PARTS. IF YOU'RE INTROVERTED, AND DEEP, YOU'LL ESPECIALLY ENJOY THIS.