AustLit

When Alvin Purple was released in 1973, I was glad that it proved popular but never, for a moment, thought it was of any other significance. Since then, several writers, including Catherine Lumby, caused me to rethink my snobbish perspective on the film. Now Alexandra Heller-Nicholas' insightful essays gives further grounds for reappraisal, placing the film in dual contexts of 'then' and 'now', and providing persuasive arguments for considering this light-hearted comic piece on a commentary on changing sexual and gender mores, and as a phenomenon of the Australian film revival. It's easy to forget how largely dormant the local film industry had been until the early 1970s, and Alvin Purple's popularity should make us try to understand the basis of this. The current essay makes a serious contribution to this process. – Brian McFarlaneBrian McFarlane, Series Editor.