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Brenda Blethyn chews the scenery in a film about a stage-struck mother and the family who has to emotionally support her—or else. New to audiences are Khan Chittendon as one of Brenda’s sons, Richard Wilson as the physically disabled son and Emma Booth (looking like a young Sissy Spacek in Carrie). The film is set in Australia and it takes a few minutes to get into the accent. This film is something like American Idol gone awry.

The story has Brenda divorced and raising the two boys. She manages several jobs for finances, including being a part time comedienne, working in a diner and giving singing lessons. Her ex-husband works as a security guard (always playing before the security cameras) and as a part-time country singer. Older son, Khan, drives a small moving van (financed by Mom) to earn a living and lives at home. Younger son, Richard, goes to a special school, though he is brighter than people think he is. The family gets along because they support Brenda emotionally, always telling her she is “the best.” Enter Emma, who ends up giving Khan her phone number, dating him and liking him enough to seriously think of sex. Well, that’s all he can think of. Mom soon finds out and can’t stand the idea of another woman in Khan’s life. Mom hits the bottle and when she gets drunk, the drama queen in her comes out. This is where Blethyn does her thing for minutes on end and you can’t decide whether to sympathize with the woman or throw cold water on her. It’s a credit to the other actors that they can stand out amidst the drama. All through the film is a line of comedy, from Brenda’s colorful comments on stage to her language when crossed at home or Khan’s attempts at dating when his vehicle of choice is a large truck. Ah, life down under.

Blethyn’s character has a moment of truth about two-thirds of the way through the film. It’s like a blow between the eyes. Will she accept it or not?  We have all known people like this, people who must be the center of attention and think they deserve it.

Khan Chittendon is a young actor with promise. He starts out rather shyly with his mother, but through the film has his own agenda. Time is marching on for him and Mom wears on the nerves. The same with younger son, Richard. He is supposedly the mentally-challenged one, but manages to come up with a truth every now and then. Emma Booth rooms with another girl, Kelly (Katie Wall) and at first, you think they are a giggly two-some, but Emma has some demons of her own to address, while Kelly turns out to be hiding behind a facade, too. In fact, Kelly is an interesting character I would like to know more about.  As Brenda’s ex-, Frankie P. Holden carries a torch a mile wide, and it’s one of those things where you are better friends when divorced than married. One hilarious moment has him performing his country-western act while the camera pans over the audience. Women over age fifty make eyes at him and he winks back. All in all, Introducing The Dwights certainly brings us into the lives of a dysfunctional family, but one with potential. Remember, when women give something up for marriage, don’t think it’s been forgotten. It’s just lying in wait.

Copyright 2007 Marie Asner