Three Dollars (2005)
By: Renee Freund

Details
Three DollarsClassification: M
Runtime: 118 minutes
Genre: Drama / Comedy

Principal Cast
David Wenham… Eddie Harnovey
Frances O’Connor… Tanya Harnovey
Sarah Wynter… Amanda
Robert Menzies… Nick
David Roberts… Gerard
Nicole Nabout… Kate
Joanna Hunt-Prokhovnik… Abby Harnovey
John Flaus… Old Man Williamson
Terry Norris… Alfred Price
Julia Blake… Tanya’s Mother

Directed by
Robert Connolly

Writing Credits
Screenplay: Robert Connolly
Novel: Elliot Perlman

Produced by
 John Maynard
Executive Producers
      Dominique Green
Andrew Myer

Cinematography by
 Tristan Milani

 

Production Company
 Arenafilm

Release Dates
Australia… 21 April 2005
France… 17 October 2005 (Saint-Tropez Festival of the Antipodes)
USA… 25 April 2006 (Newport Beach International Film Festival)

 

Producing the Film
The production of the film started on March 5, 2004. Three Dollars was filmed in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. I was unable to find who helped in funding the film and the cost to make the film.

Awards and Recognition
Australian Film Institute
(AFI Award) Best Screenplay Adapted
Young Actor’s Award
      Nominated:
         (AFI Award) Best Lead Actress
            Best Original Music Score
            Best Production Design
            Best Supporting Actor

Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards
FCCA Award- Best Screenplay Adapted

Montreal World Film Festival
Prize of the Ecumenical Jury: Special Mention- Robert Connolly
      Nominated:
            Grand Prix des Ameriques- Robert Connolly

Online Presence
I found all of my information on the Internet concerning Three Dollars; most were in forms of reviews- many which were from international sources. Most of the facts were found on the Internet Movie Database, although not all information was possible to find (i.e. box office figures).

Internet Movie Database- www.imdb.com/title/tt0391493

Three Dollars Home Page- www.threedollars.net

Internet Reviews

Reviews in Newspapers

 

Interviews
One of the reviews that I found on the Sunday program website contains an interview with Robert Connolly, the producer of the film (http://sunday.ninemsn.com.au/sunday/film_reviews/article_1768.asp). In this interview he discusses how he wanted people to “go through a complex emotional journey” (Connolly) and his ambition for making the film. He describes his ambition for Three Dollars:

"I wanted the film to tell the story of a family man and a good man (played by David Wenham) in tough times…a story about a guy that’s trying to stay true to what he believes and what he feels is right in a world that’s bombarding him with challenges."

Another interview that I found was at Urban Cinefile (http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=10325&s=Interviews). This interview was with David Wenham, who played the main character, Eddie. The interview concentrates on the enjoyment that Wenham had while making the film.

 

Information Searching
The information I found on Three Dollars was found on the Internet. To access this information I used a variety of search engines (i.e. Google, Yahoo, etc) and links to Film Databases from MED231 web page. I was able to find many reviews, which then provided links to more, and more.

 

Cast and Crew: History

 

 

 

 

Synopsis
Three dollars is about an average man trying to make it through the hardships of his life. Eddie (David Wenham) is a chemical engineer working for the government evaluating land that is ready for development. His wife Tanya (Frances O’Connor) is an academic, and he has a beautiful daughter Abby (Joanna Hunt- Prokhovnik). The other lady in his life is Amanda (Sarah Wynter); she is a childhood sweetheart which he coincidently runs into every 9 ½ years.

After leaking a report to The Age, concerning the project, he gets fired. He then finds himself having three dollars to his name. At the same time Tanya also loses her job and he finds out that his daughter has been diagnosed with epilepsy.  He is a good man that is trying to remain true to himself. He digs deep into his heart trying to figure out what the right thing would be to do.

Throughout the movie you are given flashbacks, where we’re able to get a glimpse of Eddie’s life before the trouble began. We learn of how he met Tanya, and about his marriage; his infatuation with his friend Amanda, and his close relationship that he has with his daughter Abby. You are also shown many incidents where he has helped out others. Some of these include pleas from a homeless man (Robert Menzies) asking for help, a man in a hospital bed, and his wife’s best friend who is struggling through a divorce.

In the end, Eddie comes through his test with his integrity. He struggles through different forms of violence, in every walk of life, but he relies on his family and self knowledge to give him the strength and peace of mind to survive- something money could never do. 

 

Review
As reviewer Clint Morris, from Moviehole states:
“Three Dollars is good, it’s quite good, but mainly because of the fantastic performances- not because of the screenplay…Granted, it is based on a book, and can’t stray too far from the source materials…but at times some things could have been skipped to keep it going.”

Wenham did an excellent job playing Eddie as a compassionate, patient, and hardworking father. O’Connor is good too, acting as Eddie’s wife struggling with depression and where life was going to lead her. Hunt-Prokhovnik, was an amazing find and did an amazing job as Abby.

The symbolism in the film has to do with the number three; but they don’t seem to flow together. Eddie has three women in his life (daughter, wife, and Amanda), and three dollars to his name. I’m not sure what the connection is between them.

The theme of the film has to do with integrity and being true to yourself. Eddie loses his job and doesn’t have any money to rely on, but he still knows that there are people in his life that love him and he can’t run away from difficulties. Through the hardships that Eddie has encountered, it leads him to a better understanding of himself and his life. As Luke Buckmaster, from Infilm, stated:

“Connolly did a wonderful job showing how external factors can distance and separate relationships and how in today's world of fierce legal battles and heartless professionalism, personal integrity is hard to find.”

Connolly and his music supervisors used several good pieces of music that reflect the film’s atmosphere. Note, that the classic ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ was only used in the closing credits- which shows that it will tear people apart but love is strong and in the end it can work out.

 People can relate to Three Dollars in many ways. Some of these include: a struggling family unit, simple everyday fights shown by Eddie and Tanya, homeless on the streets- asking for help, and searching for your soul- trying to figure out what the right thing is to do.

“Just like real life, Three Dollars is sometimes funny, sometimes scary, sometimes sad, and sometimes hopeful,” (David Stratton, At the Movies) it’s up to you to decide which path in life you are going to chose.

Critical Uptake
Three Dollars received many mixed reviews. Some thoroughly enjoyed it and said that it came out at the perfect time, a time when Australian Cinema was struggling and they needed something to help lift them up.
“Three Dollars is a significant comment on Australian society at this time when bureaucracy, mediocrity, land development oblivious to public health and corporate greed seem rampant over the interests of the ordinary, decent person.”- Avril Carruthers, Movie-Vault

“Three Dollars is such a strange film…but the cinematic arts of the film are beyond doubt: Robert Connolly is a natural master of film, and he makes this a fascinating work, filled with little treasures of observation, performance and technique.” – Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile Feature

 

Many reviews also explained that the storyline was not strong, the movie was too slow, and that the cast and crew are what carried the film; many enjoyed David Wenham.
“David Wenham was made for this part. His slightly bemused air, his serious good-heartedness, sardonic wit and wry humour, and his ability to connect with people is what Eddie is all about.”- Avril Carruthers, Movie-Vault

“Three Dollars remains a plausible and affecting social fable bereft of preachy messages and glossy peripheral devices.  With a highly apt cast and crew the elements very quickly fall into place: a bunch of strong and realistic performances, even handed direction and a skilful lens comprised of sharp and unobtrusive photography.”      Luke Buckmaster, Infilm

 

There were a few reviews that thought it was a terrible film. Mostly because of how slow the film was. But overall I would have to say that the critics enjoyed the film because the acting and directing was phenomenal and it shows a beautiful Australia.
“A beautifully made snap shot of contemporary Australia…There should be more Australian films made like this one.”- Megan Spencer, The Movie Show

 

Critical/Market Horizons
Three Dollars had a very short stay in the theaters before going to video. The actual success of this film is hard to determine at this time because it is fairly new. To the Australian audience some critics loved it and thought it was about time for producers to make a “down to earth” film, while others thought that it was very slow moving, and just an average film.

I think the one thing that the target audience may have loved about this film is that is relates to situations today. The film helps support organizations by reminding viewers what they can do. Some of the examples of the volunteer services included: Mission Australia, Beyond Blue, and Australian Kindness Movement. 

 

Example of Australian film and Genre
Three Dollars shows a sense of Australian Cinema because it relates back to a simple family and shows the ordinariness of life. The film gives a harsh reminder of how many Australians are living from paycheck to paycheck- and is not financially safe. It also shows how these unhealthy times result in stressful situations and you want to escape back to your youth, and run away from the struggles.

With the low budget that Australian film makers have to work with it is hard to even compare them to Hollywood blockbusters. Three Dollars did a good job based on the small budget that they had to work with. You gain a sense of Australia cinema based on the setting, the language, and the mateship. Mateship could be seen throughout the film when Eddie helped out Tanya’s friend that was struggling through divorce, and when he would help strangers on the street. They filmed an everyday situation that can relate to many different people.

Three Dollars could be categorized in a genre of drama and/or comedy. Three Dollars shows laughter, a representation of everyday life, and some of the quirkiness that is humorous which can relate it back to a comedy. It can be seen as a drama as well because drama films “are serious presentations with life situations that portray realistic characters in conflict with themselves, others, or nature.” (www.filmsite.org/dramafilms.html)  This is easily seen and is the basis of the storyline. Eddie is in a conflict with himself (trying to figure out what he should actually do), and with nature (fired from his job).

 

Bibliography

At the Movies Website - http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s1348659.htm

Film Genres Website- www.filmsite.org/dramafilms.html

Infilm Website- http://www.infilm.com.au/reviews/threedollars.htm

Internet Movie Database- www.imdb.com/title/tt0391493

Moviehole Website- http://www.moviehole.net/reviews/1585.html

Movie-Vault Website-http://www.movie-vault.com/reviews/RmZdmhupTKFgTxHC

Urban Cinefile Features Website-http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=10325&s=Interviews-