Forced to draw upon the courage and self-actualization that he has gathered through the experience, Reuben stands up to his bully and wins the support of those who had once opposed him, for the greater moral good.
Derek Shanahan, a profoundly deaf man from the audience (played by Joshua Sealy) comes to vindicate him and the two form a friendship which quickly turns into a sexual relationship.
Shortly after, Derek seeks out Reuben's dream mentor, Gareth Donahue (played by Paul Mercurio) to help him bring his story, titled The Burden of Being Me to the screen.
Faye, a painter, discourages Derek's involvement with Reuben's filmmaking, in favor of noble causes to support deaf education and advocating human rights in the footsteps of Helen Keller.
Almost immediately after receiving the script of The Burden of Being Me, Gareth begins to amend the characters and plot to suit him as both an actor and a producer.
His wife, Lillian Donahue, a highly respected entertainment attorney, is captivated by the screenplay and recognizes Reuben as a talented writer.
But Gareth uses his industry expertise and gas-lighting tactics to seize creative control from Reuben, while also manipulating Lillian to help him, using her long-delayed desire to have children as leverage for emotional blackmail.
Immediately conflicted by guilt, Lillian stands idly by, as Gareth pressures Reuben to sign the contracts and grant him 100% of the rights.
Premiering in Sydney, Australia, on 28 September 2017, at the height of the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey, the film gained immediate attention for its unapologetic depiction of same-sex relationships without a plot revolving around coming-out, homophobia or the sex industry,[8] effectively showing an everyday slice of life for a couple who happen to be two men.
On 11 April 2017, during a live interview for The Morning Show, the hosts Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies attempted to discuss the 25-year anniversary of Strictly Ballroom, but Paul continued to steer the conversation back to A Silent Agreement.