THE CASTLE |
| CREDITS: Director: Rob Sitch Australia 1997 (12) INTRODUCTION: Another great National Cinema Day tradition of mine is going to see a film I wouldn't normally go to see, simply because it's cheap, and for some reason, I seem to have seen everything else that's on. I knew absolutely nothing about this film going in, other than the title of course, I needed that to purchase the ticket, and I know little more about it now, hence the lack of cast details in the credits. The Cheshire Cat's girlfriend and I found ourselves stepping into a completely empty auditorium with the film already flickering across the screen. It was Australian, and the acting was appalling (goes without saying I guess). Our faces dropped. "We can always walk out." the Cat's girlfriend reassured me as we took our seats, but we didn't and soon we were rolling around on the floor in fits a laughter. You can do that in an empty auditorium. SYNOPSIS: An Australian family battle to save their home from a compulsory purchase order. With the assistance of a young and inexperienced lawyer they loose hearing after hearing, until an aging QC comes out of retirement and appeals to the constitution in an attempt to change the court's ruling. REVIEW: The plot similarities to the 'Berg's "Amistad" are obvious, but that's about as far as it goes. Unlike that staid and uninspired yawn-a-rama this film is a joy to behold. The cast are excellent in their portrayal of a family who live on a lead-contaminated landfill site, at the end of the airport runway under the huge pylons, a side of Australia that we rarely see. The Australian film industry has produced little of interest over the years. "Pricilla, Queen of the Desert", "Mad Max", "Gallipoli", "Strictly Ballroom", "The Nickel Queen" and "BMX Bandits" are about all that spring to mind (and yes I was joking about that last one), but with this film they are doing what they do best, dodgy family drama, played purely for laughs. Take one part "Amistad" and 3 parts "Neighbours", sounds a recipe for disaster right? But when blended by someone as obviously skilled as Sitch it becomes an unadulterated treat. I don't know what your National Cinema Day was like, but (prepare for bad gag) a Sitch in time saved mine. Mutt's Rating: **** |