Malpractice (film)

Malpractice is a 1989 Australian drama film directed by Bill Bennett. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival.

Plot

A child is born with brain damage and the mother decides to sue the doctor for malpractice.

Cast

Caz Lederman as Coral Davis
Bob Baines as Doug Davis
Ian Gilmour as Dr. Frank Harrison
Pat Thomson as Sister Margaret Beattie
Charles Little as Dr. Tom Cotterslow
Dorothy Alison as Maureen Davis
Janet Stanley as Sister Diane Shaw

Production

The movie was one of a series of drama documentaries produced at Film Australia for the Nine Network dealing with social issues. It was filmed using hand held cameras. The actors improvised their parts based on detailed research and had real people in supporting roles as professionals, Bennett says the making of the film was extremely emotional and it remains one of his favourite films.

Reception

Marke Andrews of the Vancouver Sun gave it 4 stars and says "Bennett never manipulates our emotions with melodrama; the sight of a tiny infant going into a brain scan machine is devastating enough."