Country Life

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Country Life ★★ 1995 (PG-13)

Down Under adaptation of Chekov's “Uncle Vanya,” has Blakemore returning to Aussie farm roots after 22-year stint as unsuccessful London theatre critic. His bored young wife (Scacchi) upsets the business-as-usual life of her husband's brother-in-law (Hargreaves) and abandoned daughter, Sally (Fox), who is also jealous of the attention paid the beautiful Deborah by both her uncle and longtime crush, Dr. Askey (Neill). Exchanges Chekov's emotional exploration for a light comedy of manners and a message of Australian independence from England. 107m/C VHS, DVD . AU Sam Neill, Greta Scacchi, Kerry Fox, John Hargreaves, Googie Withers, Patricia Kennedy, Michael Blakemore; D: Michael Blakemore; W: Michael Blakemore; C: Stephen Windon; M: Peter Best.