48 Shades

48 Shades
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Daniel Lapaine
Written by	Daniel Lapaine
Based on	48 Shades of Brown by Nick Earls
Produced by	Rob Marsala
Starring	Richard Wilson Robin McLeavy Emma Lung Michael Booth Nick Donaldson Victoria Thaine
Cinematography	Tony Luu
Edited by	Frans Vandenburg
Production companies	Prima Productions Moreton Advisory Group Australian Film Commission Pacific Film and Television Commission
Distributed by	Buena Vista International
Release dates	August 2006 (2006-08)(BIFF) [1] 31 August 2006 (2006-08-31)(Australia)
Running time	96 minutes
Country	Australia
Language	English
Box office	$193,230 [2]

48 Shades (titled Australian Pie: Naked Love in the United States ^[3] ) is a 2006 Australian comedy film by debut director Daniel Lapaine, starring Richard Wilson, Emma Lung, Robin McLeavy, and Victoria Thaine. It is based on Nick Earls's popular 1999 novel 48 Shades of Brown .

It was filmed in Brisbane, Australia. School scenes from the film were filmed in the real-life Brisbane Boys' College. ^[4] The book on which the film is based has also been adapted into a play for La Boite Theatre Company. ^[5]

Plot

Dan is a new student at a college in suburban Brisbane, boarding at his (barely older) aunt Jacq's place while his parents are working in Europe. He is reunited with Chris, an old schoolchum with a juvenile sense of humor. One theme of the film is Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, for which an assignment is set by the English teacher, and Dan chooses the aquarium scene in Baz Luhrman's film of that name.

Embarrassingly, he becomes besotted with Naomi, a fellow-boarder at Jacq's house. Naomi, a university student, is in a tempestuous relationship with an older man. Dan tries to act sophisticated, pretending skills he does not have, like the identification of Australia's small bush birds (the "48 shades" of brown of the film title).

Jacq throws a party for university students. Shy, awkward Imogen, who has taken a shine to Dan, is violently sick over him; Naomi's boyfriend turns up and they retire to her bedroom. Chris, who has been watching porno clips with a couple of undergraduates, witnesses Jacq and her girlfriend kissing, and reckons it was the "best party ever". He sleeps drunkenly in Dan's bed. Phil, the landlord, who should never touch alcohol, strips and declares his love for Jacq.

The following day Dan and Jacq have a frank talk.

The song "48 Shades" by Beau Young is included in the soundtrack.

Cast

• Richard Wilson as Dan Bancroft
• Robin McLeavy as Jacq
• Emma Lung as Naomi
• Nick Donaldson as Chris Burns, Dan's schoolfriend
• Michael Booth as Phil Borthwick, the landlord
• Victoria Thaine as Imogen
• Eleanor Logan as Lisa
• Paul Bishop as Mr Wilkes
• Cory Robinson as Jason
• Nick Earls as Deli Owner

Reviews

Sandra Hall, of the Sydney Morning Herald, was dismissive of the film, noting that the director failed to reproduce the charm and whimsy of the novel. ^[6]

References

1. Toomey, Matthew (20 August 2006). "48 Shades". The Film Pie. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
2. Film Victoria – Australian Films at the Australian Box Office Archived 18 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine .
3. "Australian Pie: Naked Love – Preview". YouTube . Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
4. Toomey, Matthew. "48 Shades". thefilmpie.com. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
5. "48 Shades of Brown". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 3 June 2004. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
6. "48 Shades - Film Reviews - Film - Entertainment". smh.com.au. 30 August 2006. Retrieved 18 December 2025.

External links

• 48 Shades at IMDb