Emoh Ruo is a 1985 Australian comedy film directed by Denny Lawrence and starring Joy Smithers and Martin Sacks.^[3]

Plot

Des (Martin Sacks) and Terri Tunkley (Joy Smithers) are a happily married, but struggling couple about to take the big plunge and buy into the Great Australian Dream. Falling under the spell of a television advertisement extolling the joys of home ownership, Terri cajoles Des into making their first big financial commitment. At first, Des is none too enthusiastic about leaving their carefree, downwardly mobile lifestyle in a caravan park by the sea, and neither is their young son, Jack (Jack Ellis). The good life is for Des is embodied in his beloved, as-yet-as-to-be-restored motorboat. Here then lies a basis for conflict between Terri's desire for the domestic comforts of a 'real' home, and Des' dream of sailing away to the West Indies. Undeterred by her husband's initial reluctance, Terri calls on Austral Finance for a housing loan. Now more determined than ever to realise her dream, Terri becomes frustrated by Des' lack of interest. When things finally come to a head between them one rainy afternoon. Des relents and sells his boat to raise the loan deposit. Immediately, the family packs up and sets off her their brand new home in a far-flung housing estate on the city's fringe. Not long after they settle into their new life, things begin to go awry: not only are their only neighbours dreadful nerds, but Des and Terri are also forced to work interminable hours to meet the repayments. Worse still, their 'dream' home turns out to be a complete lemon. These unforeseen difficulties begin to take their toll and, when Des loses his license and they are served with an eviction notice, their happy marriage is threatened. But just as things appear to hit rock bottom, Des, goaded on by his wife's accusation that he never completes anything he starts, labours day and night on a backyard barbecue to prove her wrong. When friends and finally drop over and marvel at Des's masterpiece, Sam Tregado (Max Phipps), the shonky developer who sold the Tunkleys their jerry-built house, arrives unannounced with some prospective buyers and receives a less-than-welcome reception from Terri. The young couple eventually settle their differences and agree to quit the suburban life, just in time to see their house collapse into a pile of rubble. Soon afterwards, Des goes on to become a successful entrepreneur of custom-built barbecues, and in the Tunkley family sets off with their new caravan in tow on the endless holiday.

Reception

Andrew Urban wrote that "Emoh Ruo relies on stereotypes, but it does so with larrikin good humour, and lets us enjoy a big, lowbrow finish."^[4] The Sydney Morning Herald stated "Emoh Ruo is a pleasant entertainment, but less than memorable".^[5] Writing in Cinema Papers Christine Cremen says "With its lively combination of satire, sentimentality, near-tragedy and pratfall farce, Emoh Ruo resembles one of the better Preston Sturges comedies".^[6] Writing in the book Australian Film, 1978-1994: A Survey of Theatrical Features Bruce Sandow states "More light-hearted situation comedy than biting satire, the film has its amusing moments. Competently made and entertaining in a lowbrow way, it has no pretensions to social comment. But its resorting to well-known Australian stereotypes is more often witless than inspired."^[7] A review in Variety finishes "Overall, Emoh Ruo might just be the success the Australian film industry is looking for right now".^[8]

Awards

Emoh Ruo was nominated for an AFI Awards for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Genevieve Mooy.

Cast

• Joy Smithers - Terri Tunkley
• Martin Sacks - Des Tunkley
• Jack Ellis - Jack Tunkley
• Philip Quast - Les Tunkley
• Louise Le Nay - Helen Tunkley
• Joanna Burgess - Tunkley Twin
• Nathalie Burgess - Tunkley Twin
• Genevieve Mooy - Margaret York
• Max Phipps - Sam Tregado
• Bill Young - Wally Wombat
• Helen McDonald - Pat Harrison
• Mervyn Drake - Warren Harrison
• Noel Hodda - Pete
• Richard Carter - Thommo
• Di Smith - Cheryl Mason
• Lance Curtis - Wayne Mason
• Garry Who - Policeman
• Charito Ortez - Sam's Receptionist
• Rainee Skinner - Teller
• John Spicer - Magistrate
• Ray Marshall - Clarrie
• Tracey Higginson - Surfer Girl
• Angelo D'Angelo - Surfer Guy
• Suzanne Dudley - Supervisor
• Zafar Khan - Indian Couple
• Azra Khan - Indian Couple
• Ian McGowan - Des' Bus Driving Double
• Archie - George Harrison

Soundtrack

Side A

1. " Our Home" (Instrumental) (John Clifforth) - 2:01
2. "Build It Right" (Barnum and Barnum) performed by The Vitabeats - 3:46
3. "I Don't Dream" (Gangga Jang) performed by Gang Gajang - 3:24
4. "Made for You" (Clifforth, C.Allen and M.Callaghan) performed by Broderick Smith and Vanetta Field- 3:46
5. "Our Home" (Clifforth) performed by John Clifforth - 2:57
6. "Path of Stone" (Callaghan and Graham Bidstrup) performed by Stetsons - 6:19

Side B

1. "Terry Through a Fish Tank" - 2:17
2. "The Tunkleys Leave Home" - 3:20
3. "A Shark in the Bath" - 0:55
4. "Sam Tregado in an Asian Mood" - 1:06
5. "Sam Tregado in a Greek Mood" - 2:03
6. "Des Builds a B.B.Q. - 2:14
7. "The Jaguar Samba" - 3:14
8. "Made for You" (Instrumental) - 4:07

See also

• Cinema of Australia

References

External links

• Emoh Ruo at IMDb