128 minutes, Drama, MA15+

Australia! You are ready for this. From the country where gay marriage is (inexplicably) yet to be recognised by the government comes the timely and timeless love story between two men, right from the heart of Melbourne. Taking place in the mid-1970’s at Xavier College, this is the true story of Timothy Conigrave (Ryan Corr) who has a passion for the dramatic arts and an eye for the captain of his school’s football team, John Caleo (Craig Stott). It isn’t before long that the boys embark upon a secret relationship where they’ll face numerous and significant challenges.

Before it was a film, HOLDING THE MAN was one of the most successful stage productions, adapted by Tommy Murphy (who also writes the screenplay for the film) in 2006. And before then, it is a memoir written by Timothy Conigrave, back in 1995. It is not very often I have a book to compare a film too, but a story like this doesn’t get told too often. And certainly not with the same brutal honesty and confronting reality HOLDING THE MAN is here for. Spanning just over two decades, this powerful and raw film showcases not only an impressive and appealing support cast which includes Guy Pearce, Anthony LaPaglia, Sarah Snook (magnificent in PREDESTINATION) and Kerry Fox (MENTAL), but all-round excellent output from each of them. The performances to overwhelm however, belong to the two men – Corr & Stott. In a physically and mentally demanding role, Craig Stott is triumphant as John Caleo. Sharing instant chemistry that immediately convinces with co-star Ryan Corr (pictured below with Craig Stott), who audiences will recognise from TV Series “Packed to the Rafters” and the Russell Crowe drama THE WATER DIVINER takes his hugest leap forward yet with a career-best and career-divining performance as Timothy Conigrave.