Bliss (1985)
-
83% of users liked it
(373 ratings)
After suffering a near-death experience, an executive realizes that his seemingly ideal life has become a horrifying nightmare in this dark Australian satire. Based on the novel by Peter Carey, who also penned the screenplay, the film begins with a deceptively calm, idyllic day in the life of ad man… More After suffering a near-death experience, an executive realizes that his seemingly ideal life has become a horrifying nightmare in this dark Australian satire. Based on the novel by Peter Carey, who also penned the screenplay, the film begins with a deceptively calm, idyllic day in the life of ad man Harry Joy (Barry Otto). A heart attack leads Harry to experience a brief moment of brain death, however, and he awakens with a far darker vision of the world. In quick succession, he learns that his wife is cheating on him, his son has become a drug dealer, and his daughter is a junkie. Even his perfect career has become a nightmare, as he discovers that his latest client is in fact a heartless, deadly polluter. Enraged, Harry is determined to live a morally righteous life, a notion that proves an anathema to everyone around him. Several memorably bleak and explicit sequences may repel some viewers, while others will be disappointed that the satire becomes slower and less focused as the film continues. Nevertheless, Bliss's daring, bitter look at the modern world received a good deal of critical acclaim, particularly in its home country, where it won an Australian Academy Award. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
- Directed By
- Ray Lawrence
- Written By
- Peter Carey, Ray Lawrence
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Sep 19, 1985 Wide
- Studio
- Starmaker Entertainment
Critic Reviews
-
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Viciously funny, scathing in its satire and damning in its inescapable truths...offering one of the most tender and moving climaxes I've ever seen.
-
Andrew Howe, Film Written Magazine
A stunning tale of alienation, madness and redemption.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Barry Otto
as Harry Joy
-
Lynette Curran
as Bettina Joy
-
Helen Jones
as Honey Barbara
-
Miles Buchanan
as David Joy
-
Gia Carides
as Lucy Joy
-
Tim Robertson
as Alex Duval
-
Jeff Truman
as Joel
-
Paul Chubb
as Mr. Des
-
Bryan Marshall
as Adrian Clunes
-
Robert Menzies
as Damian
-
Nique Needles
as Ken McLaren
-
Kerry Walker
as Alice Dalton
-
Jon Ewing
as Aldo
-
George Whaley
as Harry's Father
-
John Doyle
as Doctor
