SOUL!
Sunday Tasmanian
SUN 22 MAR 1998
By Elizabeth Stacey

A DISCOVERY that could reverse the ageing process, a federal treasurer who doesn't understand economics, a couple of Satan worshippers and the odd chicken or two are just a few of the weird and wonderful ingredients which come together in Australia's latest movie release, A Little Bit Of Soul.

Starring Geoffrey Rush, Heather Mitchell, David Wenham, Frances O'Connor and John Gaden, the film is short at 85 minutes but big on originality and laughs.

While the plot is a little difficult to describe in one quick line, A Little Bit Of Soul is the story of scientist Richard Shorkinghorn (Wenham) who is trying to secure some funding for research he is doing into slowing down the ageing process.

His prayers are answered by an eccentric, rich women called Grace Michael (Mitchell) who is married to equally eccentric federal treasurer Godfrey Usher (Rush).

Unbeknown to Shorkinghorn, the couple have also taken an interest in his former girlfriend and work partner Kate Haslett (O'Connor) who is trying for the same funding for the same research.

When the two scientists are invited to the couple's holiday home for the weekend, a series of weird and unexpected events unfold. While the movie deals with some heavy issues such as religion, the ageing process and the price people will pay for their ultimate dream, it also provides plenty of satire, silliness, humour and wit.

It was this combination that initially attracted well-known Australian actress Heather Mitchell to the role of Grace Michael.

``When I first read the script I just laughed and laughed,'' she said. ``I was in China at the time working so it was a real contrast to what I was doing.''

Born in Korea, Mitchell came to Australia with her family when she was 10 years old. Determined to be an actress from a young age, she was pleasantly surprised when she attended the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney and realised that people were paid to act.

``I always wanted to act,'' Mitchell said.

``When I found out that I could actually make a paid career out of it, it thrilled me.''

In the business for 18 years, Mitchell is one of Australia's leading theatre actresses, having starred with every major theatre company in the country.

She has also worked on many films including Proof, Muriel's Wedding, Children Of The Revolution and Thank God He Met Lizzie.

However, none of her acting experiences have been quite like those in A Little Bit Of Soul.

``This was one of the most fun films I have worked on and yes, I suppose it's unusual,'' she said.

``I was thrilled that Peter Duncan (the movie's writer, director and producer) had me in mind for the role.

``I have great appreciation for Peter's style of work. ``The film is immensely clever.''

Mitchell said the fact the film had plenty of silliness, yet still dealt with some interesting and serious topics, gave her the chance to lose herself in the role.

The silliness and fun of the movie was also a great change of scene for her. ``I seem to be always playing roles in which I am distraught and crying.''

In fact, probably half of Mitchell's role in the show required full on, belly shaking, thigh smacking, snorting, laughter.

While this may sound like a lot of fun, Mitchell said it also made the role exhausting at times.

``There were about three or four days of laughing scenes,'' she said. ``There is one scene where Frances and I are rolling around in shoot laughing.

``We had to keep tickling each other to make each other laugh.

``It took hours and we were completely exhausted by the end of it.'' Filmed in the middle of a sheep station in a small country town in New South Wales, the movie also gave the cast members the chance to work in an environment very different to their regular theatre or studio
set-up.

It also provided some amusing moments, like the night Mitchell volunteered to get something out of the car for co-star Geoffrey Rush. ``It was late and Geoffrey asked me to go to the car for him and I
said sure.

``Well I headed across one paddock, and then another, and it was freezing cold and so dark.

``The skies in the country are huge.

``I became quite terrified and thought, `Why am I doing this.'''

Despite the scare, Mitchell said the whole country filming experience was a refreshing one.
``It never felt hectic.

``We didn't have to drive for miles between sets.

``We only had to drive from filming to the pub which the locals kept open late for us.

``Everyone was really wonderful.''

And just as the role was a refreshing change for Mitchell, A Little Bit Of Soul will be a refreshing viewing change for cinema-goers. Mitchell said the film had a bit of something for a broad spectrum of
people.

``The political satire will hopefully appeal to those people in the audience in their 30s, 40s or 50s,'' she said. ``It's also a romantic comedy so that should appeal to the younger people.''

Mitchell said the subject matter, while seemingly quite wacky at times, was also based on relevant issues such as genetic engineering and stopping the ageing process, politicians and their so-called
expertise, as well as how much people will do to get what they want. She said this also appealed to a wide variety of people. Mitchell will now put her serious cap back on for her next project, a role in a mini-series about the Granville train disaster which happened in Sydney in the late 1970s. Meanwhile, you can catch her in A Little Bit Of Soul at Village Cinemas.