Tom White is an architect who chooses to make himself homeless. Outwardly, he has all the signs of a successful life—large home, loving family, successful career. However, it soon becomes clear that not everything is as it appears at work. Tom consciously takes a different path and cuts ties with his normal life. He has chosen the streets, where those he meets, in spite of their position, have enormous self-dignity—the rent boy, an ex-junkie, a gentle-but-manly tramp and a 14-year-old graffiti artist. Tom goes on a personal journey of his own as he plumbs outsider society, yet he discovers his own dignity and gains an understanding of who he is.
The film was released in Australian cinemas on 19 August 2004 and played until 1 September 2004. The film premiered on 31 July 2004 at the Melbourne International Film Festival. It was also screened at the Cannes Film Market on 13 May 2004; the Pusan International Film Festival (South Korea) on 10 October 2004; Australian Film Festival (Singapore) on 11 March 2005; the Commonwealth Film Festival (United Kingdom) on 4 May 2005 and at the Saint-Tropez Festival of the Antipodes (France) on 20 October 2005.[2]
Reception
Tom White received mixed critical reviews. The first weekend of release, Tom White was number 20 on the Australian Box office with an intake of A$56,219 (total $147, 495).[3]
Awards
Winner – Golden Tripod, Australian Cinematographers Society – 2004
Winner – Inside Film (IF) Awards – Best Actor – Australia, 2004[4]
Nominated – 13 Australian Film Institute Awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography – Australia, 2004[4]
Nominated – 5 Inside Film (IF) Awards including Best Film, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Script – Australia, 2004
Nominated – 6 Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress – Australia, 2004[5]
Box office
Tom White grossed $277,234 at the box office in Australia.[6]