MovieChat Forums > Picnic at Hanging Rock (1979) Discussion > Relationship between Michael + Albert?

Relationship between Michael + Albert?


Any thoughts? In a film that has its fair share of lesbian subtext, did anyone pick up on anything between these two guys? I'm well aware I'm reaching, but I did sense that they had a bit of an unusual relationship. But then again, the whole film has such a dreamlike quality I guess it could just be chalked up to that as nothing in the film is particularly normal.

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I think all the awkwardness, etc can be explained by the issue of class - this was a taboo friendship. I saw nothing that would suggest anything sexual about it and it wasn't until coming to these boards that I even considered it. With the girls, on the other hand, it's pretty strongly implied, at least in the case of Sarah.

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Ditto. I've seen this film at least 8 times in my life and have never thought there was homoerotic innuendo between the two.

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Why should you think you are 'reaching'? You spotted something you felt was valid.

More on the Homoerotic thread.

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[deleted]

The book gives a lot more info about Michael and Albert and it's quite clear there is something there. In the movie, it's glanced upon but focuses more on making it seem like Mike is in love with Miranda whereas it's more he feels what everybody else does- that she, above all, needs rescuing. Interestingly, the relationship between the girls is less explicit in the book. The two girls you see sleeping in the bed together are two sisters who have become frightened.

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Two guys who happened to start talking, then got to know each other a bit through their searches of the rock.
The whole film can feel like subtext.

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