A Little Bit of Soul

Year: 1998

Runtime: 84 mins

Language: English

Director: Peter Duncan

Comedy

Former lovers Richard and Kate each pursue their own research into the secret of aging. After applying for a grant from the Michael Foundation, they are summoned to a weekend meeting with the Foundation’s head—who is married to the Australian Treasurer—to discuss their proposals. The weekend proves to be eventful, and the discussions quickly take unexpected turns.

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In a world where the quest for longevity blurs the line between obsession and hope, two scientists find themselves drawn together by a single, tantalising possibility: a grant from the enigmatic Michael Foundation that promises the resources needed to unlock the secrets of aging. Their research, focused on the baffling phenomenon of progeria and its implications for human life‑extension, becomes the key that could reshape scientific ambition—and personal destiny.

Richard Shorkinghorn, a meticulous researcher haunted by the limits of conventional funding, and Kate Haslett, his former assistant and an equally determined investigator, arrive at the foundation’s weekend gathering carrying the weight of their shared past. Their history, marked by collaboration, rivalry, and a lingering personal connection, sets the stage for a charged interplay of intellect and emotion. The hosts, led by the foundation’s charismatic head whose spouse, Grace Michael, holds sway in the highest circles of Australian politics, add another layer of intrigue, hinting at the powerful currents that flow beneath polite conversation.

The estate itself is a study in contrast—stately, impeccably maintained rooms that echo with whispered ambitions, and a countryside that feels both isolated and suffused with the subtle pressure of elite expectation. As guests mingle over dinner, the atmosphere shifts between courteous banter and unspoken competition, each participant aware that a single misstep could tip the balance between breakthrough and betrayal. The dialogue drifts from scientific theory to philosophical musings, suggesting that the true experiment may be as much about human nature as it is about cellular decay.

Amid this elegant tension, the weekend promises more than a simple funding decision; it offers a glimpse into a world where science, power, and personal histories intersect in unpredictable ways. The stage is set for a story that asks whether the pursuit of eternal youth can survive the inevitable complexities of love, ambition, and the shadows that linger behind grand ambitions.

Last Updated: October 27, 2025 at 16:34

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