Ray Lawrence

Ray Lawrence is another director, like Geoffrey Wright, say, I'm surprised hasn't directed more feature films, as those that he has are outstanding. I believe he mostly works in TV.
His son Ben Lawrence released his own first feature, Hearts and Bones, in 2019.

Bliss (Ray Lawrence, 1985) prod. Anthony Buckley for Window III Productions, wr. Peter Carey and Ray Lawrence from the novel by Peter Carey, dp Paul Murphy, music Peter Best, design Owen Patterson, ed. Wayne le Clos; Lynette Curran, Helen Jones, Barry Otto, Tim Robertson, Miles Buchanan, Gia Carides; Eastman colour, 35 mm, 115 min.

David Stratton:
The film is extremely audacious, and Lawrence's depiction of the strange world of Harry Bliss (brilliantly portrayed by Barry Otto) mixes astonishing beauty, black humour, and the genuinely bizarre in almost equal proportions. David Stratton: 177.

Lantana (Ray Lawrence, 2001) wr. Andrew Bovell (play and screenplay), prod. Jan Chapman; Anthony LaPaglia, Geoffrey Rush, Barbara Hershey, Kerry Armstrong, Rachael Blake, Vince Colosimo, Russell Dykstra, Daniella Farinacci, Peter Phelps, Leah Purcell, Glenn Robbins, 115 min.; AFI 2001: best picture, direction, actor, actress ...

One of the best films ever written in Australia, this one allows an insight into half a dozen urban relationships of different kinds. There are six couples in this film, most with unresolved relationships. The film ends with the central couple, played by Anthony LaPaglia and Kerry Armstrong, dancing slowly across the screen from left to right and back. He is leaning slightly towards her, and she is leaning slightly back - but they are still dancing.

Jindabyne (Ray Lawrence, 2006) wr. Beatrix Christian, Ray Lawrence, based on short story 'So much water so close to home' by Raymond Carver, prod. Catherine Jarman; three men on a fishing trip discover the body of a murdered young Aboriginal woman; shot in Kosciuszko National Park; Gabriel Byrne, Laura Linney, Deborra-Lee Furness, Chris Haywood, John Howard, Max Cullen, Leah Purcell; mystery; Australian release 20 July 2006, DVD available 30 November 2006

It's possible to see this as (merely) a bourgeois relationship morality drama, but the (black-white) cultural clash (tho a bit separate - as is the thriller aspect) is worth attending to.

Riders, The (Ray Lawrence, announced) Tim Winton novel; not yet made

Garry Gillard | New: 6 December 2006 | Now: 27 April, 2022