Swinging Safari is an unfunny madcap comedy with some great actors in. Stephan Elliott (A FEW BEST MEN / QUEEN PRISCILLA / FRAUDS) is a wildly inconsistent director who has made a string of nutty, commercial movies for nearly 30 years and this is pretty much the worst yet. Guy Pearce heads an ensemble of wooden child actors who have to carry much of the weight. With better performances, a less frantic pace and a funnier script this could have been pretty good but it has nothing to recommend it. Everybody in the adult cast is capable of way better things.
Set in the 1970s three families who live on the same street have an orgy (the adults) whilst the kids attempt to make a homemade sequel to Jaws when a dead whale washes up at the local beach. I got about 30 minutes in and gave up. I love Australian cinema but sometimes you will find a film that's a 'bit much'. It's bold, loud, shouty and unfunny - I won't say the obvious.
There are heaps of great Australian films that remain unreleased in the UK, how the *(&$ did Swinging Safari make it out?!?
Can't fault the actors in this. They know this is a comedy and do a decent job at trying to provide larger than life comic characters. The film is part memoir, part coming of age drama and comedy. It does have its funny moments - particularly the deathcheaters skits, but there are more misses in this than hits. The coming of age part seems tacked on, and slows the action down as we have to have some explanation - which probably isn't all that necessary It's difficult as I'm sure this is someone's first movie, and folk have got to learn somehow. There are moments of slapstick and comedy that will make you laugh, but there's funnier movies out there. If you want coming of age comedy, then Cemetary Junction is much better, as it Strictly Ballroom and Muriel's Wedding. That said, there is some talent behind this movie, and I hope they learn from their mistakes and do better - so we can see more of their work in the future.
I generally love Australian films,but this one is a real turkey.Perhaps some Aussies of a certain generation could relate to it,but I gave up after about 30 min.
The biggest mystery to me is how they managed to persuade Kylie Minogue to appear in it.It does'nt do her any favours at all!!
In fairness,the acting is pretty good,as you loathe all the characters!!