The Fringe Dwellers

PG

1986

1h 37m

Drama

List

Reviews

65%

Audience Score

100+ Ratings

Trilby (Kristina Nehm) is a young Aboriginal woman living with her people on the outskirts of everyday Australian society. When her mother (Justine Saunders) suggests that the family pack up and move to the suburbs, which are inhabited mostly by wealthy white families, Trilby is forced to uproot and deal with the culture clash. With xenophobic neighbors casting a constant judgmental eye, Trilby and her boyfriend, Phil (Ernie Dingo), attempt to find happiness in their new environment.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

A gentle and powerful new movie by Bruce Beresford.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Urban Cinefile Critics

Urban Cinefile

One of the few Australian films selected for Competition at Cannes (1986), Bruce Beresford's adaptation of the novel is a milestone for Australian cinema.

Nov 24, 2007

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Aug 3, 2005

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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

A sensitive cross-cultural study about an aboriginal family in Australia.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 27, 2004

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Audience Member

Brilliant acting and tells it like it was at that time in Australia

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Audience Member

Not a bad snapshot of mid-80s Australia. Hopefully, in terms of racial stereotypes and profiling, a lot has changed since then. I feel like a lot more could have happened or been said with this film, but the point about breaking old patterns applies to all walks of life, not just the Outback/Indigenous people... Some nice scenes & acting, but overall not too memorable.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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Audience Member

(****): [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] Interesting and well-acted. A great film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

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Audience Member

Great film about identity and alienation. Good film for young teens to sink their teeth into. Different notions about race, family.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

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Audience Member

Yes, there are life styles differences in Australia.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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Audience Member

Kinda depressing but very well done.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

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Bruce Beresford

Director

Kristina Nehm

Trilby Comeaway

Justine Saunders

Mollie Comeaway

Bob Maza

Joe Comeaway

Kylie Belling

Noonah Comeaway

Denis Walker

Bartie Comeaway

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Synopsis

Trilby (Kristina Nehm) is a young Aboriginal woman living with her people on the outskirts of everyday Australian society. When her mother (Justine Saunders) suggests that the family pack up and move to the suburbs, which are inhabited mostly by wealthy white families, Trilby is forced to uproot and deal with the culture clash. With xenophobic neighbors casting a constant judgmental eye, Trilby and her boyfriend, Phil (Ernie Dingo), attempt to find happiness in their new environment.

Director: Bruce Beresford
Producer: Sue Milliken
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Box Office (Gross USA): $15.9K
Runtime: 1h 37m