Don's Party (1976)

In the heart of suburban Melbourne, Don, a schoolteacher, resides with his wife Kath and their infant son. On the backdrop of the 1969 federal election, Don, an ardent supporter of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), plans a small gathering to celebrate the anticipated victory, much to his wife's chagrin. The eclectic guest list includes Don's university mentor Mal and his discontented wife Jenny, the libidinous Cooley and his latest flame, the young and impressionable Susan, Evan, a skilled dentist, along with his enchanting artist wife Kerry, and surprisingly, two supporters of the Liberal Party, Simon and Jody. As the evening unfurls, the party's mood darkens with the realization that the ALP's victory is slipping away. The disappointment serves as kindling for the rising alcohol consumption, fueling caustic exchanges among Don and his friends about their unfulfilled ambitions. The veneer of camaraderie cracks, revealing crude behavior towards the women. Mack, a design engineer nursing a fresh wound of marital separation, provocatively flaunts a nude photo of his estranged wife, seeking validation from his peers. Cooley, the unabashed womanizer, embarks on a hunt for available women. Meanwhile, the disenchanted wives form a sisterhood, sharing candid accounts of their husbands' disappointing performances in the bedroom. As the night reaches its climax, the party morphs into a grotesque mirror, reflecting the stark reality of their hollow lives. Don's party, initially a celebration of anticipated political triumph, transforms into an unflinching exploration of failed aspirations, marital discontent, and the disillusionment with their own lives that the guests have been conveniently ignoring. As dawn breaks, the guests start to comprehend the profound emptiness of their compromised existence, forever altering the dynamics of their relationships.

Don's Party is a comedy movie featuring John Hargreaves.

Don's Party is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and Tubi TV.

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