Monkey Grip (film)

Nora, a single-mother in her thirties living in Melbourne is engaged in an on-again off-again relationship with the heroin addict Javo, who can never quite decide whether he wants his freedom, or romantic commitment. The further their relationship progresses, the harder they find it to let go. ==Cast==

• Noni Hazlehurst as Nora • Colin Friels as Javo • Alice Garner as Gracie • Harold Hopkins as Willie • Candy Raymond as Lillian • Michael Caton as Clive • Tim Burns as Martin • Christina Amphlett as Angela • Don Miller-Robinson as Gerald • Lisa Peers as Rita • Cathy Downes as Eve • Justin Ridley as Roaster • Pearl Christie as Juliet • Vera Plevnik as Jessie • Jamie Fonti as Ramondo • Carole Skinner as Waitress • Gary Waddell as Actor 3 ==Production==

Ken Cameron tried to get up a film version of Helen Garner's novel in early 1979 but could not raise the budget of $553,000. David Puttnam read the script and said the film "is a problem because it's an honourable, decent piece of material but a very difficult film to crack. I really like Ken Cameron, he's a good bloke, but it's a very difficult piece to do and I hope he pulls it off." Shooting was postponed until Patricia Lovell managed to get the money under 10BA tax regulations. However, by then costs had risen so much the film had to be made for $1 million. The film was shot in early 1981. ==Box office==

Monkey Grip grossed $451,000 at the box office in Australia, which is equivalent to $1,312,410 in 2009 dollars. However it struggled to find distribution overseas. ==Reception==

The film received mixed reviews. Helen Garner, who wrote the novel upon which the film was based, had a problem with the casting of Colin Friels as a heroin addict. She stated: "I just can't believe they cast Colin Friels as the junkie. That was such a terrible mistake. He was so healthy, a great big bouncing muscly surfing guy". ==Home media==

Umbrella Entertainment has released it in a three-disc DVD set with Puberty Blues and Dimboola. ==References==