The Castle

source: The Castle

This is a great tongue in cheek comedy, a Darryl versus Goliath movie. There were times when the pace lagged a bit but I guarantee, if you watch it to the end, you'll be smiling as the credits roll (and, yes, that is Eric Bana in his first film). I give this film an 8 (great fun) out of 10. {Comedy}

This is the best movie I have ever seen! I saw it at the Brisbane premiere in March '97 and I ended up seeing it four more times before I won a copy of it on video. This is the funniest, most heartwarming film ever to come out of Australia and it only took twelve and half days to film on a really low budget. It was shown in the US at this year's Sundance Film Festival and the audience was apparently rolling in the aisles. It is a movie that makes you feel happy for the little people who just stick to their own things and when the big guys come to get 'em, they fight to the bitter end. Here's a transcript of my favourite scene involving Dale talking to his brother Wayne in jail. Wayne: How's Mum? Dale: Good. Wayne: How's Dad? Dale: Good. Wayne: How's Trace? Dale: Good. Wayne: How are you? Dale: Good. Wayne: How's Steve? Dale: He's alright. Wayne: Good. Dale (v.o.): We could just chat for hours. See it and I hope it wins a stack of Oscars!

I watched this film by accident, and must admit it did keep my interest. There are some undeniably funny moments, and the stark Australian setting makes a change from the glamour of L.A. It's not quite strong enough cinematically, and the racism and swearing seem strangely out-of-place in a feel-good tale.

I just saw the Castle again on television. It is still funny and some of the quotes from the movie like "straight to the pool room" and "dreamin" have actually moved into the language. Many have explained the plot so I won't bother. The director Robb Sitch also did a television series called frontline, which is a very funny look at the world of television journalism. If you like the Castle I'm sure you will like frontline. One other piece of trivia, the Queens Council who eventually represents the family in court is played by Bud Tingwell. Mr Tingwell looks like a very gentle older man in the movie and it may surprise many to know that he was a WWII fighter pilot flying Spitfire's and Mosquito's in North Africa and Sicily.

Scanning the dial I stumbled on this film on our IFC indie cable channel. I absolutely LOVED this movie. Never heard of it and it was outstanding: Funny, touching, unique......Its about 10 below zero here in Chicago today and to watch this heartwarming film was such a treat on a cold day. I loved it especially the catch phrases...."he's dreaming' "......hilarious movie with catch phrases one could repeat over and over! The father was loving and supportive of his whole family. Wanting to have the home for his incarcerated son to return to was beautiful. We fall into the trap of thinking a home must look a certain way and live up to an expensive standard. No wonder the global economy is in a shambles as we all strive to live beyond our means. This movie showed people genuinely happy within their means. Even the Queens Council was drawn to this loving man.

OK, if some people believe that Australians are all as simple as the Kerrigans, then they're the ones who are simple. But this movie relies on the stereotype created by movies like Crocodile Dundee and wouldn't have gone as far as it did without it. And that's what makes it so funny - showing pride in this Aussie stereotype. And as simple as this movie is, the message is loud and clear. If there were more people like the Kerrigans, the world would be a better place, because their honest values ring true. When the government wants to aquire Darryl Kerrigan's house for an airport expansion, he won't stand for it, because it's not a just house, it's a home, with people who love and care for eachother. To quote the words of the great Bud Tingwell, or rather his character, Laurie Hammill, "a home is not built of bricks and water, but love and memories. You can't pay for it, and you're just short-changing people if you try."

I was drawn in by the quirky characters and cute 90s decor. The premise of the story wasn't bad, man refusing to sell his home: I can picture an over the top, surreal comedy with Jack Lemmon in his bathrobe chasing off the construction people. However this movie took no directions like that. No melodrama, no rage, no tears. I got bored about half way through waiting for something to happen, and was disappointed up till the very end. The narration just made it even more mundane. I have no idea how this film got a 7.7 rating, I found it neither entertaining nor inspiring.

This has become something of a cult film, about a little Aussie Battler taking on the big wheels when they try to seize his house for an airport development. Despite low production values and a look of "made for TV", the cheeky script and Michael Caton's outstanding performance as the very Ocka but lovable Darryl Kerrigan saves the day (and the house) resulting in an enjoyable comedy. Strong supporting players Bud Tingwell, Stephen Curry, Ann Tenney, and Teriel Mora, bring it together. You may also spot a young Eric Bana before he came to fame as Chopper and The Hulk. Considering the limited budget and shooting time this has proved to be quite a hit. And The Castle's satirical view of suburbia is a comic tradition in Australia, begun by Barry Humphries, and recently continued by Kath and Kim.

Not even as good as I thought (or hoped) it possibly might have been is this first time feature effort from the D-Generation team. The attempt at making a multi-layered satire of life in the working class suburbs for the average Aussie battlers falls flat, and all we're left with is a poorly dressed up, one-joke film that is not very funny. "The Castle" never manages to break you up, and much of the comedy is nothing but annoying. Especially bad is the running gag involving the dopey son. To top it off, the guys have tried to add a serious message - a dramatic element - to the film, and it would be an understatement to say this is misplaced. The cast end up looking silly trying to make something out of nothing, with the exception perhaps of Anne Tenney who manages her one-dimensional mum from the west quite well. Tuesday, June 17, 1997 - Waverley Pinewood Cinema