Following his child star and TV appearances, John Waters got a groundbreaking theatrical film debut in the 1976 thriller End Play by Tim Burstall, who wrote the screenplay based on Russell Braddon’s novel of the same title. The movie remains an underrated gem from Australia.
Essentially a murder mystery about a serial killer, End Play features two powerful characters – Mark (Waters) and Robbie (George Mallaby) – two brothers by adoption who now live in the same house, inherited from Mark’s father and, are in love with the same woman, their cousin Margaret (Belinda Giblin). The rivalry of the brothers brews up a potentially fatal conflict in the house while Mark becomes the prime suspect in the series of murders of young women in the area.
The character conflict takes center stage in this movie from Burstall that keeps the suspense alive amid climbing tension that gradually peels the characters down to their core, laying bare their love-hate bond. Burstall lets Robbie’s character dominate with some great lines despite his disability. Viewers get to see Robbie more of a bully brother in a wheelchair while Mark takes it partly out of regard and partly, or so it is perceived, out of the fear that Robbie will take his wraps off.
With limited number of outdoor scenes, End Play is more drama than action with Robbie’s backstory shown in a flashback, something not extended to Mark’s character and hence the latter appearing somewhat underdeveloped. With notable exceptions, the movie roughly runs as Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? in 180 degrees. It is a memorable work in the tradition of dramatic thrillers with strong characters and dynamic dialogue.
Note: This reviewer has not read Braddon’s novel, which is the basis for this movie; hence no assessment of the movie in context of the book.
