Tim (film)

Plot

It is the story of the developing relationship between an older, educated & wealthy American woman, Mary Horton (played by Piper Laurie) who lives on her own and a handsome, developmentally impaired 24-year-old builder's labourer, Tim Melville (played by Mel Gibson), whom she hires. Tim lives with his sister, Dawnie (Deborah Kennedy), who is a year older than him, and their parents Ron (Alwyn Kurts) and Emily (Pat Evison). Dawnie marries her boyfriend, Mick Harrington (David Foster). Dawnie and Mick make clear they dislike Mary and oppose her relationship with Tim, but do not state their reason for feeling that way. Tim eventually marries Mary.

Production

Michael Pate first read the book in 1975 and was immediately taken by it. He optioned the screen rights to the book, wrote the screenplay, and decided to direct.

Pate wanted the female lead played by an international actor and spoke with Deborah Kerr, Jean Simmons and Glenda Jackson. Jackson was interested but was not available until 1982 so Piper Laurie was cast instead.

Funding came from Australian Film Commission, the NSW Film Corporation, Greater Union and Channel Nine. Filming took six weeks in August and September 1978.

Reception

The film was one of Gibson's first roles, and was moderately successful in Australia, earning Gibson an Australian Film Institute award for Best Actor. Kurts and Evison also won Best Supporting Actor and Actress awards respectively.

The film was remade for American television as Mary and Tim in 1996, starring Candice Bergen and Tom McCarthy in the lead roles.

Box office

Tim grossed $809,000 at the box office in Australia, which is equivalent to $3,163,190 in 2009 dollars.