by Clarke Fountain
synopsis
In this docudrama, a couple going through an acrimonious divorce after twelve years of marriage are going through custody hearings in Australia's Family Law Courts. All the officials and judges play themselves, but the family members are actors. Things grow especially heated when the husband, who has been kicked out of home because his wife wants to start seeing other men, discovers that his son has been getting into trouble for stealing and hasn't been attending school regularly. When the judge finally announces his decision, its awkwardness, fairness and appropriateness are reportedly quite startling -- making clear the reasons for a rash of Family Court judge slayings that took place around the time this film was made.
