Got a lot of time for Sam Neill - he's been around so long, had a fabulous career. In the 80s he always seemed on the verge of being a big star - Omen 3, etc - but never quite happened. I think he was more a very handsome character actor, often overshadowed by big stars but holding his own eg My Brilliant Career (Judy Davis), Jurassic Park (dinosaurs), The Piano (Holly Hunter). He just sort of chugs along.
The book is touchingly written after Neill has been diagnosed with cancer and he's living alone in his flat in Surry Hills. He's very discrete about the end of his relationships (Lisa Harrow was one) and affectionate about his kids. More open about his friendships especially Bryan Brown but also Kiwi mafia members like Tim Finn. Discusses life in Ireland and NZ - Dunedin not selling out to watch the Beatles, boarding school, uni, documentary film unit, low rent theatre, leaping to stardom quite quickly via Sleeping Dogs then My Brilliant Career then a British career (with a few TV detours on the way, one of which, Reilly Ace of Spies really established him there).
An amiable enjoyable chap who found a way to consistently work with great directors, on a whole variety of material. A lot of Aussie directors made their best films with Neill: Gillian Armstrong, Jane Campion, Fred Schepisci, Phil Noyce, John Duigan. There's also John McTiernan, John Carpenter, Martin Campbell, etc.
I would have liked more gossip but that's me. Enjoyed it.
I feel a little guilty for finding those videos he did during COVID really annoying.
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