Passion 1999

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Passion ★★ 1999

Over-the-top bio of Aussie-born composer Percy Grainger (1882-1961). Although born in Melbourne and starting his career as a concert pianist, Grainger (Roxburgh) spent most of his life in Europe and the U.S. and was involved in recovering English and Celtic folk songs. But his home life is a twisted psychosexual drama as his devoted mother, Rose (Hershey), suffers from syphilitic fits amid rumors of their incestuous relationship and Grainger's own masochistic impulses, which are catered to by his piano student, Karen (Woof). 98m/C VHS, DVD . AU Richard Roxburgh, Barbara Hershey, Emily Woof, Claudia Karvan, Simon Burke, Linda Cropper, Julia Blake; D: Peter Duncan; W: Don Watson; C: Martin McGrath. Australian Film Inst. ‘99: Art Dir./Set Dec., Cinematog., Costume Des.