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"Tim" is a 1979 Australian romantic drama directed by Michael Pate and starring Piper Laurie, Mel Gibson, and Alwyn Kurts. The film is based on the 1974 novel of the same name by Colleen McCullough. The movie follows a middle-aged spinster named Mary Horton (played by Piper Laurie) who lives with her widowed father in a small town in Australia. Mary is long past the age where she thinks she will ever find love until a young, mentally disabled man named Tim (Mel Gibson) comes into her life.

Tim works at a nearby farm and is taken in by Mary's father, who sees the harmless nature of the young man's mental deficiencies. As Mary and Tim begin to spend time together, a friendship develops, and they grow to understand one another better than anyone else in their respective lives.

As Mary starts to develop feelings for Tim, she must navigate the cultural and societal norms of the time, which look down upon romantic relationships between people with such a significant age and intellectual gap. Moreover, Tim's guardian, Ron (Alwyn Kurts), is fiercely protective of Tim and is wary of anyone who could harm Tim's mental state.

The central themes of the movie are love, acceptance, and sacrifice. Mary, who has lived her life for others, learns to open up and embrace her own desires. Tim, who is often dismissed and neglected by others, finds human love and connection that he has never experienced before. Ron, while initially apprehensive of Mary's intentions, must come to terms with letting Tim live his life and make his own choices.

The performances of the lead actors, especially Mel Gibson, shine in this film. Gibson received acclaim for his role in the movie and was nominated for the Best Actor award at the Australian Film Institute Awards. Gibson's portrayal of Tim is nuanced and insightful, a difficult feat for an actor portraying a character with a disability. Piper Laurie, too, delivers a strong and nuanced performance as Mary, bringing forth both the character's steely determination and vulnerable side. Alwyn Kurts gives a reliable performance as Ron, the guardian who grows fond of Mary over time.

The movie's direction and screenplay are equally laudable. Director Michael Pate has a light touch that allows for some of the movie's most tender moments to blossom without feeling cloying or maudlin. The screenplay, adapted from the novel by McCullough, is expertly crafted, delivering a poignant love story that is both bittersweet and humane.

The film's score, composed by Peter Best, is also noteworthy for its use of acoustic guitars and gentle melodies. The music adds another layer of emotional resonance to the already beautifully acted and directed story.

Overall, "Tim" is a touching and thoughtful movie that champions the human connections we make despite obstacles that should keep us apart. The movie's themes still resonate today, especially in the ways we discuss intellectual disabilities, and its performances and direction still hold up almost 40 years later.

Tim is a 1979 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.