MIA and DANNI - Love and Other Catastrophes (1996) Australian Film

Mia and Danni - Lesbian Interest Storyline

The Australian lesbian interest movie Love and Other Catastrophes (1996) (IMDb 6.3) features a lesbian storyline between Mia and Danni. This is a low budget indie film that was made when the director Emma-Kate Croghan was still studying film at Melbourne University. While occasionally a little uneven this is a charming little romantic comedy with enough humour to delight most viewers.

The whole story takes place in the course of one day and is set at Melbourne University and later at the housewarming party. The plot of Love and Other Catastrophes revolves around Mia (Frances O'Connor) and her housemate Alice (Alice Garner) who desperately need another housemate for the spare room. Mia's girlfriend Danni (Radha Mitchell) would like to move in but commitment phobic Mia is keeping her at arms length by concealing from her that the room is actually vacant.

Mia and Danni Meet Up on Campus

Mia is struggling with university administration while Alice is trying hard to avoid her supervisor for fear that her thesis on Doris Day as a Feminist Warrior is not up to scratch. Meanwhile Danni accompanied by Savita (her silent companion long before Silent Bob I might add) is trying to figure out whether Mia still actually cares about her.

Radha Mitchell as Danni

Alice who hasn't had a relationship in three years is crushing hard on campus heart-throb Ari, a magnet to women but nevertheless disillusioned with them. Mia introduces Alice to Ari but warns Alice that Ari is not for her and she is better off with a more down-to-earth guy. Alice persists despite Ari not meeting her rather narrow criteria: left-handed, truthful and likes the same movies as her.

Frances O'Connor as Mia. Seen here pleading "have a heart"

Meanwhile Mia who leaves everything to the last minute gets caught out when she tries to change courses. She discovers she has a massive unpaid library fine that must be paid and no amount of pleading or charm is going to budge student administration. Just when Mia has given up hope of finding the money, lovestuck Danni tells her about the cash she has to buy a cello. Mia sweet talks Danni out the money and the next minute Mia is at the desk of student administration getting the paperwork she needs.

Mia Sweettalks Danni into Giving Her the Money

But nothing runs smoothly for Mia as her cantankerous professor of film creates a road block to her leaving his department by sending Mia back and forth between departments in a bureaucratic nightmare. Eventually Mia has to enlist Alice and Ari who help her get the signature she needs through clandestine means.

One of the standout features of the movie Love and Other Catastrophes is the original soundtrack. Frances O'Connor as Mia gives a short but memorable rendition of Shivers which is a movie highlight. Equally memorable is the look that Radha Mitchell as Danni gives her when she comes across her chilling out on the grass.

Switch to the housewarming party where Mia and Danni are trying to figure out how to break up civilly even though neither wants to break up. Eventually Danni throws Mia a lifeline and they share some poignant moments discussing their breakup.

Who Dumped Who?

Danni to Mia: So it's like that huh?
Mia: Yeah and to top it all off my girlfriend dumped me.
Danni: That's really funny because I heard that you dumped her.
Mia: No she did it to me but I deserved it.
Danni: Have you tried talking to her?
Mia: I was insensitive. I dunno if she would speak to me again.
Danni: Well I'd give a try. You know if you apologized. Grovelled. Sent her flowers. You know that sort of thing.
Mia: I think she's seeing someone else.
Danni: Well I'd give it a try anyway. You never know. Maybe they're just friends.
Mia: So you think this apologizing thing might be worth a go?
Danni: I think the grovelling is very important.
Mia: What about Savita?
Danni: She's gone home.

Having cleared the air our lovers kiss and canoodle and before we know it they are back together. Mia takes a massive leap forward by inviting Danni to move in with her. Danni accepts.

Sunday Morning in Bed after Reconciling as a Couple

Mia and Danni are a cute couple and their own screen chemistry is undeniable. In 1996 the film was groundbreaking in some ways by showing a young lesbian couple who are happy together and their friends totally accepting of their relationship. This is one movie from that era where no one dies, nor is there angst about coming out or second guessing women loving women.


Country of Origin: Australia

Genre: Drama / Romantic Comedy

Language: English

Subtitles: None

Runtime: 2 minute Trailer, 20 minute clips.

Read more about Love and Other Catastrophes (1996) at IMDb

Initial Release: 1996

Director: Emma-Kate Croghan

Screenplay: Emma-Kate Croghan and Yael Bergman

Favourite Quotes:

Mia to Ari: Don't ask because I'll be forced to bore you to death with the details of my tortured existence.

Alice to her Therapist: Now that I realize I've just been suffering from a simple psychotic depression, I feel strangely empowered.

Danni to Mia: I thought you wanted me to be more independent.
Mia: I do. I just wish you'd tell me when you're planning to be more independent.

Mia to Ari: The thing about monogonomous relationships is that they are very complicated you know. There's a lot of hassle. A lot of game playing. It's really not for me.
Ari: There are advantages.
Mia: Like what?
Ari: You're not alone.



Other Links
Love and Other Catastrophes (1996) Film on Wikipedia
Other Lesbian Interest Movies