Real Life: Singles

1988, 74 Minutes

Meet Charles, a twice-divorced Double Bay bachelor, prominent member of a Jewish singles association and successful businessman.

Real Life: Singles follows Charles around for a week in order to learn more about the man through his relationships and his attitudes to women. There is Susan, the woman with whom Charles wants to share his new life. The bachelor even takes her to meet his mother. Over-attentive Diana is painfully willing to help Charles - she does his ironing and unpacks his suitcases. There’s the charming Countess who brings out the gentler side of Charles, but with a cynical twist. And then there’s the outspoken and fun-loving Frieda, to whom Charles presents with a nipple duster.

This is a look at the best and worst aspects of the singles lifestyle. Never has a subject allowed such an intimate and revealing exploration of itself. No viewer could feel ambivalent about this man.

An intriguing foray into the singles lifestyle.

© 2011 National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.