Charlie & Boots

source: Charlie & Boots

Lots to like along with lots to dislike. The plot is okay but with the very poor script writing it fails. Acting is only average, too many goofs with directing & editing, cinematography just above average. Overall not a good example of what Aussie film makers capabilities can be.

I like very much the road movie, especially when the travellers take advantage of the trip to share experiences, to know each other better, to laugh about blunders and mistake of their past. Therefore Charlie & Boots is very good and funny comedy.

Just happened across this movie and loved it! Yeah, it was predictable, but the emotional content, acting, and scenery were wonderful. I needed a feel-good movie, and this was perfect for that. I loved the humor and the message about being able to restore broken relationships.

If you are looking for a gentle film that makes you feel good - then I don't think you could do much better than watching this film. Definitely on my top 10 for this category. The basic background to the story is well trodden with a Son dragging his mourning father away from the dark journey into depression that he is about to begin. This he does by literally dragging him on the 'fishing trip of a lifetime' that the father originally promised the son in his boy-hood. It isn't just the re-bonding that takes place. It's also the re-kindling of the gentle mischief within the character played by Paul Hogan (Charlie) and the gradual revelation of the past sorrow that Shane Jacobson's character (Boots) has stoically borne. You'll laugh out loud at the humorous scenes and feel sadness in others. The jokes are not new but played with a believable realism by both main actors. You'll know where the story is going but you'll love the characters they meet on the way and be glad for them that they get there without real mishap.

I think the extras in Tamworth and other places would have been pleased if they had been paid even by a small beer or whatever for contributing to what is a very good travelogue for Australia. Personally, I didn't enjoy it as much as Crocodile Dundee, nor was I expected to. I enjoyed Boots, I thought he brought home what some kids do when trying to placate and 'bond' with parents who never seemed to bond with them. Personally I think the film could have be more dynamic, but from an Australian point of view was a great travelogue, and hopefully generate tourist interest!

(46%) A perfectly watchable, very Australian comedy/drama road movie that at times steps a little too close to schmaltz and predictability, but thanks to its sheer simplicity and gentle nature this is near impossible to dislike. The two leads are likable with Shane Jacobson playing a typical Ozzie bloke very well, largely I suspect because he is one, with his on- screen father played by Paul Hogan providing ample old git style humour proving he hasn't lost his good comic timing over the years. This would nave benefited from a trim down by about 15-20 minutes, but all in all an unremarkable tale of father, son, and family life.

When Charlie's (Paul Hogan) wife dies of a stroke on their 45th wedding anniversary he is consumed by grief. His estranged son, Boots (Shane Jacobson) decides both should go on a cross country fishing trip that might also help them to reconnect. At first Charlie is not keen on the 3000 miles trip to Cape York, but Boots is persistent and Charlie's grief slowly ebbs away. They meet up with a pretty hitch-hiker with boyfriend trouble, Boots has a wild ride in a rodeo, Charlie attracts the attention of a few older women and they have a dicey plane ride. Hogan plays it low key however it might just be the botox that has robbed him of his expressions. The film has a leisurely stroll to some picturesque settings, there is some gentle humour but all this Americana influences in the Australian rural setting with rodeos and country music rings hollow.

I came away from this thinking I'd watched a promotional video for holidaying in Australia. The film did start with the premise of a story, some acting and realistic dialog, but that all vanished and we were presented with various Australian clichés, bad-taste humour and lots of chips. Every single meal was chips, every scene was highlighting a natural feature of the landscape or a location's traditions/festival. The dialog was either about where they were going to, at or had been to - literally and not metaphorically. The only reason I'm giving 5 stars is because of the beautiful scenery, but I already knew the east coast has some attractive sights. Some of the set pieces were cringe worthy, the music was incessant and inappropriate and most of the culture seemed to be based an Americana.

What to say here? It's a road movie about a father and son played by Paul Hogan and Shane Jacobson respectively. After the untimely death of their wife and mother, the two end up on a long cross country journey to go fishing at the northern tip of Australia. They have previously never gotten on together, their differences seemingly impossible to put aside, but this trip will bring about many revelations, truths, pains and maybe even laughter? The Australian landscape photography (Roger Lanser) is as stunning as the simplicity of screenplay, with the humour and emotional wallops delivered with great skill by Hogan and Jacobson. The message of it all is not heavily handled by director Dean Murphy, he and his team take us on a journey that rings true, one that brings hope to the many who need a prompt, a push in the right direction. Because it's true you know, life really is too short. A lovely and heart warming movie that's also very funny as well. It deserves to be better known. 8/10