The Alice (2004)
Synopsis
'Action and adventure meet magic and romance in Alice Springs’, say the publicity notes for this telemovie, and it’s not a lie. A disparate group of people are heading for the outback to watch a solar eclipse. Strange things begin to happen as their fates entwine. Helen’s (Caitlin McDougall) racist and bullying husband (Christopher Stollery) falls from a rocky height, leaving her free at last of his demanding presence, but guilt-ridden that his fatal accident was a result of her wishing him dead. She finds support from ex-rocker Jack Jaffers (Erik Thomson), who’s arrived in town. At the same time, Dr Matt Marione (Patrick Brammall) is shown a rare desert plant by a girl in the desert. He’s determined to stay to try to find out whether this plant might have healing powers. He also finds romance, but with the wrong person.
Curator’s notes
When Channel 9 broadcast this telemovie it rated well with 1.2 million viewers tuning in, which encouraged a less successful spin-off series. The telemovie is focused around the quasi-mystical idea of a solar eclipse and a group of disparate people who find their lives enmeshed by planetary forces drawing people towards the eclipse and to each other. It is set amidst the spectacular beauty of Central Australia.
Erik Thomson plays Jack Jaffers, an ex-rock-star bad boy and a bit of a wandering dreamer. Does he have the courage to commit himself to staying in the Alice and building new relationships with his daughter Jess and the widowed Helen whom he’s only recently met? Erik Thomson was born in Scotland and raised in New Zealand. He’s known to Australian television audiences for his role as Dr Mitch Stevens in the television drama series All Saints. He’s also known for his award-winning support role in the Australian feature film Somersault.
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